MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #9 – No Laps to go!


MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023.
Newsletter #9 – No Laps to go!

The Series Final Edition.


Thank you for racing local and supporting Cross on the Rocks.
It is all of you that make this a unique and awesome race series!!

Last of the season notes:

  • LOTS of activity on our socials as always.  Racer interviews.  Reels.  Photos….keep an eye on those through the 9 months of the year when there are no newsletters.  They will keep you up to date!
  • While this is the last newsletter for the season we will try to put together a tiny survey for the series and send out next week.  We KNOW that for some reason EVERYTHING has a survey now (today we got asked to fill out a survey on how good BC Hydro is/is not….like we have a choice?) but we HOPE to get a good number of responses to share with sponsors and shape the direction of the series.  Keep an eye out for that please!
  • Lost and found.  We have reunited a few people with their lost gear this week.  Pumps.  Shoes.  Shorts….all making their way to their owners.  We will have the bin one last time at the National Championships in the morning and then for the men’s elite races if you want to pick up or check the box over.  Last chance then it goes to good will, recycling or the landfill.
  • We will bring some of the series awards that were not picked up at the awards to next weekend’s national champs.  If you did not get your award…..please check with us and we will try to get it to you!

1. Special thanks to our sponsors.

Our MAIN PRIZING SPONSOR with the Muc Off Cup, Prizing for all of the races and the final AND support at three events this season including organizing a water tanker for the final was Peter Creighton from HLC Bike.  Peter has supported our events since 2004.  We would not be the series we are without his support.  When you see him at events or at the bike shop ALWAYS thank him as he has earned it.

The Muc Off Tent always looks PRO

Hotel ZED and Accent Ann for great draw prizes and our MEGA grand prize.  A Great community partner that supports our series!

Super Masters Men’s Category Sponsors Jack Mar from Island Cycles on Quadra.  We hope to see Jack racing again one day but in the meantime he comes to the races to visit, watch, deliver prizes and socialize.  Jack is retiring from his bike shop so if anyone from the supermasters group wants to take on the opportunity of impressing this group with super prizes at our events please let us know.

Frontrunners who let me race and organize these events.  Cyclocross racers need to run so come see us for some runners, gym shoes, blunstones, Glerups or HOKA for people that need that extra cushion (cyclists).

Goodr Sunglasses.  We just got this GREAT sponsor this year through their Canadian Distributor only to find out that the distributor in changing for 2024…..darn it!

Wade Luksay from Riverway Dental sponsoring the kids Hot Lap prizing for the season again!  (And Wendy Simms for always keeping an eye out for what would be good prizing and within our budget every time she heads out for errands).

Kyle Denny from 11 Speed Coffee covering the Last Not Lapped (AKA most in need of coffee) and some series draw prizes.

Event Bike shop sponsors, Big Grin Bikes, Broad Street Cycles, Rock City Cycles, Cycle Therapy, Coal City Cycles and Trail Bikes.

Our race directors this year: Roy Kregoski, Brett and Tom, Corey and Sean, Roland, Matt and Mark, Patrick, Leslie and Shep.

Clubs: Arrowsmith Bike Club, Trail Bikes Club, Rock City Cycles Team, Broad Street Cycles, Cycle Therapy and MIVA

Awards: Roland Rabien, Paul Brend and Victoria Waterjet.

Stats, Results and Timing team: Patrick and Roland (again)

Web site: Brett and Roland (again).

The series is what it is because of these businesses and individuals.  We sincerely thank them!

2. CoweX Series Final Review

Patrick’s Photo Link from CoweX

Norm’s Notes:  Throughout the 17 season history there are certain races that are talked about over and over.  Previous to this year most recently it was the 2021 Atmospheric River during the master men’s race at the Muc Off Cup.  Previous to that there was the last race at Shawnigan Lake School with the downhill “WALL”.  In 2014 we had the Kona Kup which was held at Beban Park (We posted photos of this in the last newsletter).  14.5% of the field DNF’ed.  There was one race that trumped them all though.  In 2009 we held a race at Slugget Farms in Central Saanich called “Children of the Corn”.  It literally went through a corn field and the expert race was held in a downpour.  Pro City Cycles built an up and over/and under.  The under turned into a beer garden during the race.  It was a double header with the Bob Cameron Cross at Laryritz Park.  For anyone that raced that on that day….maybe lost a shoe that is still there in the field….they will remember it.  CoweX will take on that sort of memory.  We are SO LUCKY to have been able to race a rare heavy course like we saw last Sunday.  Most land owners would not like us so much but the Cowichan Ex. were OK with it!!  A huge opportunity to practice skills that we don’t normally get to do and a reminder that Cyclocoss is a sport that involves riding a bike AND running!!

Race notes from the race director Matt from Cycle Therapy:

Well that was fun!

Thanks everyone for joining us at the Cowichan Exhibition.  This COTR season was missing some mud so we decided to make up for it all at once!

Special thanks to our committed organizing team of Mark Law, Doug Merrick and Pete Stevenson.  Without your help and vision this even would have simply not happened.

Thanks to our course setup team of Mark, Doug, Pete, Trevor, Darren, Robin, Evan, Tim and my lovely wife Heather for standing out in the rain for hours setting up the course (I swear the weather report said it would be sunny).

Thanks to Heather and Sarah for running the registration once again.

Thanks to Emmett and Jemima for helping Patrick with manual timing (I will get more volunteers next year Patrick!).

Thanks to Peter Creighton from HLC Bike for coming out and putting that pressure washer to good use.

Thanks to Taco Revolution and Phat Bastard Eats for keeping us all fed.  Special thanks to Dan from Coffee on the Moon for coming out last minute and delivering free coffee!

Thanks to Cycle Therapy Bicycles and Mike from Trek for all the great draw prizes.

Thanks to the Cowichan Exhibition for allowing us to tear up your fields.

And last but not least thanks to Norm and the rest of the COTR team for trusting us to put on the series finale!  We hope everyone had fun!

Matt Grossnickle
Cycle Therapy

3. Series Winners
Each of our races have 10 categories BUT at each event there always the race within the races.  The series has 20 categories for overall victory.

There are the winners for the season in each category and their points.  Some of the categories were VERY CLOSE!!

Big congratulations to all the podium finishers for the season and a special shout out to Charlotte Tai who just started racing this season (had never raced anything before) and came out to all the Airhouse-Rock City Cycles practices to finish 2nd for Launch women!

Category

Launch Men Jacob Appenheimer   Nicolas Blight 1105 Jeremy Robson 1027
Launch Women Amanda McArthur 970 Charlotte Tai 900 Rose Aarrestad 590
U13 – Launch Men Cael Schlossberger 1180 Callum Bobbitt 1125 Owen Chen 1095
U13 – Launch Women Tilly Cocksedge 1000 Beatrix Maraun 200 Tessa Thibault 190
U15 – Launch Men Noah Lutz 1190 Nico Schum 1150 Landon Mottishaw 1095
U15 – Launch Women Adianta Cocksedge 1190 Daiya Schlossberger 200
Intermediate Men Marcus Appenheimer 1190 Aaron Slobodin 1075 Nik Kay 1055
Intermediate Women Kelsey McGaw 1185 Vanessa Minke-Martin 1105 Haley Healey 1100
U17 – Intermediate Men Sam Schum 1125 Mercer Benham 1095 Walker Bobbitt 1070
U17 – Intermediate Women Daiya Schlossberger 970 Maggie Preston 920 Lindsey Cameron 600
Masters Women Christy Love 1180 Jessica Planeta 1093 Wanda Reddin 1085
Masters Women (55+) Christine Neal 1200 Michele Carr 1140 Brenda Jager 1070
Masters Men (40-54) Graham Cocksedge 1200 Normon Thibault 1105 Matthew Mahoney 1085
Super Masters Men (55+) Ken Olson 1200 Gary MacGregor 1081 Richard Stark 1065
Mega Masters (70+) Derek Steel 962 Dean Vinden 912 Roy Kregosky 582
Open Women Eleanor Winchell 1071 Katja Verkerk 1058 Ella MacPhee 985
Open Men Craig Richey 1067  Soren Weselake 1066 Fabian Merino 1030
U19 – Men Soren Weselake 1066 Oscar Wong 797 Jonathan Hard 758
U19 – Women Eleanor Winchell 1071 Kimberly Chen 861 Talia MacPhail-McGrady 790
Riverway Dental Hot Lap Boys Jasper Johnson 1200 Stellan Kydd 1130 Gabriel Molgat-Roy 1060
Riverway Dental Hot Lap Girls Piper Tench-Cocksedge 946 Evelyn Kydd 926 Kinsley Hepples 914

Broad Street Breakaway.  2023 Team of the year.

4. The SUPER GRAND PRIZE Winner.

Somewhere in our notes that are still in the registration box we have the NAME of the grand prize winner!!  I am sure at some point they will contact us.  In the meantime…..here is their photo.  I am sure someone knows who this lucky COTR racer is!!

Hotel Zed has been a huge supporter of our series over the years.  From their amazing cycling jerseys for their women’s club to providing room nights for draw prizes.  This year they have taken it up a BIG notch providing an AMAZING vacation in Tofino.  NOT at their super cool Hotel Zed but at their exclusive water front Hotel Zed Tofino Cottage located next to Hotel Zed.  4 Nights!

CHECK OUT THE AMAZING LISTING HERE

If you are traveling to any town/city where there is a Hotel Zed or Accent Inn and you need a place to stay.  Stay there!!

Season #18 COTR Preliminary Schedule
Mark these dates on your calendar for the fall of 2024 so that you remember to NOT book a work conference, concert, dentist appointment or anything else!!  The Council of Cross will be BUSY getting all the details set.  All you have to do is ride your bike with friends.  Practice your skills and be ready for Season #18September 15th.  Series will kick off with Race #1 (We are working on starting in Victoria for the first race in 2024)
September 29th.  We will be racing someplace on the island for Race #2. (Most likely either Cumberland or Qualicum)
Fast and furious Race #3 will be on October 6th. (Again most likely either Qualicum or Cumberland)
Most likely Bowen Park again on our traditional date of Thanksgiving Monday which next year is October 14th for Race #4
October 20th is Cross Fondo
We are not 100% sure on the rest of the dates but likely we will be racing on the 27th of October in costumes…..might be at CoweX, Tugboat Cross/Crosstoberfest, Hot Crossed Bunnies or possibly Lumber X.
Into November mark the 3rd off with an extra hour of sleep that night
and finish the season off on the island on the 17th hopefully in a location that has a tiny bit more space than a “light horse barn”!!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023

Provincial Championships THIS SUNDAY. The Thrashers bike club is organizing Provincial Championships this Sunday in Chilliwack.  It looks like they are going to have some youth categories which is a small step in the right direction.  Still using the really silly UCI age rule for those categories…..small steps….  Registration for this CLOSES Saturday at 9:00PM  Here is the link.

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26 in Victoria.  Canadian Championship races are only one day of the three on the Saturday.  These are the races that count!  Registration closes November 22nd at Midnight if you don’t want to pay the late fee.   Registration page here.

A Few Parting Shots for the season.

Our first series awards were held in the rugby club of Shawnigan Lake School in 2009.  Before that we were just hanging out outside doing our think.  Since then we have had awards at various locations including a gym, barn, Arbutus meadows training facility, Beban Park and now…..a light horse barn.  By far our narrowest venue!  Thanks to Tycho, Jack and Angus for navigating this mob and keeping the awards on track!

It is about the community.  Racing.  Respect.  Repeat.

Thanks everyone for a great race season!  See you in the fall of 2024!!

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #8 – Last round coming up.

The CoweX Series Final Preview Edition.

 


We have come to the last race of the Muc Off Cross on the Rock race season.  We hope to see as many of you out there as humanly possible on Sunday.  It looks and smells like it will be muddy!!!  We have not had “real mud” this year so this is going to be a great opportunity to practice your mud skills and have a great time racing!!  After the racing we will do as quick a clean up as possible so that we can roll into the race and series awards as fast as possible.  Bring wash up stuff and warm clothes!  Thank you for racing local and supporting Cross on the Rocks.  It is all of you that make this a unique and awesome race series!!

Some super important information:
BEFORE THIS WEEKEND:

  • When you register make sure your TEAM NAME is correct!  Check your past results.  Has someone edited it for you?  Check the TEAM STANDINGS.  Make sure your name is the same that is posted on the TEAM STANDINGS!!  If your team name or anything is not correct EDIT it before Sunday!
  • This is what the series standings are currently with your lowest race dropped.  Have a look.  Take a look at those in front of you.  Take a look at those behind you.  Those are the battles for Sunday!!  Ties in points go to whomever was ahead in the last race. There are some TIGHT battles for the series!
  • For the series we are doing:  Top Boy and Top Girl for the Hot Lappers.  Top 3 in each of the other categories INCLUDING MEGA MASTERS which is the new 70+ Men’s category for the series.  If you are in the top 3 please plan on attending the awards as we will not hunt you down to give you a sweet trophy by Paul Brend and some great Muc Off products.
  • Registration is OPEN for CoweX and you can link it here. AS ALWAYS it will be CLOSED at 6:00 on Saturday.  Don’t say “oh I did not know that”!!

PAN AM Cyclocross Championships!!  Super awesome to see our COTR racers take on a higher level UCI event!!
Natalie Wright taking home a silver medal in the Masters women’s category!
ELITE JUNIOR WOMEN’S Sidney Swierenga (13th), Eleanor Winchell (15th), Geza Rodgers (16th), Kimberly Chen (17th)
ELITE JUNIOR MEN’S Oscar Wong (25th),
U23 MEN Cody Scott (9th), Soren Weselake (19th)
ELITE MEN  Evan Russell (6th), Fabian Merino (17th)

1. CoweX Series Final Preview!!

Awards for the race and then the series will follow clean up which will follow the OPEN races!  Please help us clean up as quickly as possible so we can get the awards rolling!

Location: Cowichan Exhibition Park – 7380 Trans-Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC V9L 6B1
-55 minute drive from Victoria
-33 minute drive from Nanaimo
-Right off the highway North of Duncan

Parking: (SEE THE MAP) There is a HUGE parking area.  Look for the signs on the right immediately as you enter the exhibition.  We have overflow parking if needed but doubtful it will be. Do NOT park where you should NOT park!  Please do not drive up into the race venue to park as space up there will be tight.

Registration: If you need to register or switch your category it will be located at the Stratford Room.  Washrooms will also be around the same building, try not to wear your muddy CX shoes.  We are expecting A LOT of mud this weekend (finally) and the cleaner we leave the washrooms the better.  There is also a second washroom located near the Exhibition Office that will be open.

Team Tents: See the attached map.  The pits will be located close by the team tents as well.

Course:  Think grass, hills, MUD, tractor pull, sawdust and some climbing (not quite Bowen).  It will be a bit more of a traditional European style course with plenty of COTR flair thrown in for good measure.  We are bringing back a SWEEEEET feature from COTR races of the past.  You will have to be there to see it.  The run up will also remain from 2022!

Taco’s:  The Taco Revolution Food Truck and Phat Bastard Eats Burger Truck will be on site for all your post and pre-race taco needs. TACOS and BURGERS!!!

Warming Up:  We are not the only group using the park that day so please refrain from riding around the taped off main grounds as we don’t want Cyclist’s riding around where cars are present.

Bike Wash:  We will have a Muc Off pressure washer for racers to use and clean up afterwards.

Prizing: Prizing and awards will be provided by Cycle Therapy Bikes in Duncan, Eleven Speed Coffee, Goodr, Hotel Zed and Muc Off!!  Plus Riverway Dental for the Hot Lappers!

STUDY THIS MAP LIKE YOUR RACE DEPENDED UPON IT!!

2. (Reprint in case you missed it) The SUPER GRAND PRIZE for 2023!!

YOU MUST BE THERE TO WIN!!

There were a few mentions of the GRAND PRIZE reveal for the season at the last event.  The way the grand prize always works is:

  1. Every time you race your name gets entered for the prize.  If you race once you are entered once.  If you do the full series you are entered 6 times.
  2. You have to be there at the final awards at the END to win the prize.  That is when we draw for it.
  3. Sorry but the LITTLE kids are not eligible for this prize.  So not the Riverway Dental Hot Lappers or the little nutcase racers.  You have to have raced an “adult” category.

Hotel Zed has been a huge supporter of our series over the years.  From their amazing cycling jerseys for their women’s club to providing room nights for draw prizes.  This year they have taken it up a BIG notch providing an AMAZING vacation in Tofino.  NOT at their super cool Hotel Zed but at their exclusive water front Hotel Zed Tofino Cottage located next to Hotel Zed.  4 Nights!

CHECK OUT THE AMAZING LISTING HERE

This prize is worth $4000-$8000 depending on time of the year.  No black out dates BUT you have to book it separately which we will give you the contact information.

SEASON #17 COTR Schedule

DONE AND DUSTY – September 10th. Season opener in Cumberland at Coal Cross.
PERFECT FALL DAY – October 1st. Cross on the Commons in Qualicum.

NOT quite as rainy as we LOVE but still awesome – October 9th. Nanaimo. Bowen park.
Once again this was a GREAT event – October 15th Triple Shot Cross fondo.
October 22nd. Broad Street Cycles GP at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.
October 29th. Hot Crossed Bunnies at Beban Park in Nanaimo
THIS WEEKEND!!!!!  November 12th. CoweX series final at the Cowichan Fair Grounds!!

Season #18 COTR Preliminary Schedule
Mark these dates on your calendar for the fall of 2024 so that you remember to NOT book a work conference, concert, dentist appointment or anything else!!  The Council of Cross will be BUSY getting all the details set.  All you have to do is ride your bike with friends.  Practice your skills and be ready for Season #18
September 15th.  Series will kick off with Race #1
September 29th.  We will be racing someplace on the island for Race #2.
Fast and furious Race #3 will be on October 6th.
Most likely Bowen Park again on our traditional date of Thanksgiving Monday which next year is October 14th for Race #4
October 20th is Cross Fondo
We are not 100% sure on the rest of the dates but likely we will be racing on the 17th of October in costumes.
Into November mark the 3rd off with an extra hour of sleep that night and finish the season off on the island on the 17th!!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023
So good to see more group practices happening this fall.  Lets work to keep building those up.  Let us know if you have a practice and we will promote it on the newsletter!

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD weekend in November in Chilliwack.  This is the weekend between the COTR finals and the National Championships in Victoria.  Perfect time to dial in your fitness.  Sounds like they are going to have some youth categories which is a small step in the right direction.  Still using the really silly UCI age rule for those categories…..small steps….

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26 in Victoria

Parting Shot
I don’t think we will spot Buttcat-ET out there this Sunday but maybe….

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #7 – Last round coming up.


Hot Crossed Bunnies wrap up and other SUPER important news.


The FULL CoweX race preview will be out in the newsletter and on our web site later this week.  We had way too much news to share to wait so have a read through over the weekend as you listen to the rain come down and watch the highlights and results from Pan Am Championships where Eleanor Wiinchell and possibly other COTR racers are?  As well as the Euro Champs in Pont Chateau which was the first World Championships we went to in 2004.  What an experience that was!!

Small segments of COTR information:

  • If you need a sweet bike for a small or JR racer I have been asked to share this one from COTR racer Tanya Binette.  A super nice Trek Crockett.  We don’t normally share B&S stuff but this is a super deal and we would love to see if under one of our upcoming JR racers!
  • Registration is OPEN for CoweX and you can link it here.  We have tried our best to keep the entry fees the same as previous years but EVERYTHING IS COSTING MORE.  Venues and first aid have in some cases doubled from 2022.  Everything from caution tape to vandalism has gone up.  Last year the CoweX venue was very expensive as well.  We had to pop the registration up $2 for the last race to help cover some of this extra expense for the finals.  Remember registration closes at 6:00pm the night before the race.  The last race we had 12 people miss the cut off and were scrambling.
  • Hopefully you are on our socials and had a chance to watch the finish like short interview with Open Women’s winner last weekend Marin Lowe and the clip of the masters men start from Tom Skinner.  If you are NOT on our socials….check them out!
  • Check your results.  Check your team name.  Make sure everything is correct.  IF IT IS NOT then hit that link at the top of the page and let the stats masters know.  We want to have as few errors going into the series final as possible!!

1. The SUPER GRAND PRIZE for 2023!!
There were a few mentions of the GRAND PRIZE reveal for the season at the last event.  The way the grand prize always works is:

  1. Every time you race your name gets entered for the prize.  If you race once you are entered once.  If you do the full series you are entered 6 times.
  2. You have to be there at the final awards at the END to win the prize.  That is when we draw for it.
  3. Sorry but the LITTLE kids are not eligible for this prize.  So not the Riverway Dental Hot Lappers or the little nutcase racers.  You have to have raced an “adult” category.

Hotel Zed has been a huge supporter of our series over the years.  From their amazing cycling jerseys for their women’s club to providing room nights for draw prizes.  This year they have taken it up a BIG notch providing an AMAZING vacation in Tofino.  NOT at their super cool Hotel Zed but at their exclusive water front Hotel Zed Tofino Cottage located next to Hotel Zed.  4 Nights!

CHECK OUT THE AMAZING LISTING HERE

This prize is worth $4000-$8000 depending on time of the year.  No black out dates BUT you have to book it separately which we will give you the contact information.

2. Hot Crossed Bunnies. Race #5 – Review

Flemming Sorvin snapped some photos of the LAUNCH category at Hot Crossed Bunnies.  You can check them out here!
Patrick’s photos from Hot Crossed Bunnies.

Race Director Patrick Burnham’s notes.

What a difference a couple of weeks can make.  After years of this being a November event it was a welcome change to have a warm dry race course.  For comparison here are a couple of photos from years past.

2015.  Pre-Steve Smith Bike park.

2021

Beyond the weather we’re very fortunate to have a venue like this available to us.  It isn’t the easiest to schedule an event here as we have to work with three major stakeholders in the park. The Vancouver Island Exhibition, Nanaimo Equestrian Asscociation and City of Nanaimo were all very helpful in letting us hold our event here.  Also making the event happen were the board members of Mid Island Velo arranging permits and port-a-potties. Contacting food trucks and wrangling volunteers to put it all together.  Huge thanks need to go to current President Christine Schilling for leading the charge behind the scenes.  For this years course, if you got lost in the big field on the top corner, Shep Stewart is the man to thank for that.  He spent plenty of hours on his computer mapping that out and piecing the course together for us.

Sip and Sliders food truck was out again for the second year in a row making sure everyone had something to eat.  Those were the best fries I’ve had in a long time.

And Norms favorite prize of the year once again from Georgies Pies.  She went above and beyond with three different flavors for first second and third place.  They’re so good.

Additional prizes were provided by long time supporters Rock City Cycles and Coal City Cycles who have been helping with this race and series for years.

We also can’t forget the man in the Muc-Off tent Pete Creighton who does so much behind the scenes to help make this event happen.  He didn’t need to turn it on but he was here and ready with his pressure washer to help out.  This series wouldn’t be the same without him.
Finally, Thank you to all the racers who came out and made this event so special and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the series finals at the Cowichan Exhibition grounds next week.

SEASON #17 COTR Schedule
DONE AND DUSTY – September 10th. Season opener in Cumberland at Coal Cross.
PERFECT FALL DAY – October 1st. Cross on the Commons in Qualicum.

NOT quite as rainy as we LOVE but still awesome – October 9th. Nanaimo. Bowen park.
Once again this was a GREAT event – October 15th Triple Shot Cross fondo.
October 22nd. Broad Street Cycles GP at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.
October 29th. Hot Crossed Bunnies at Beban Park in Nanaimo
November 12th. CoweX series final at the Cowichan Fair Grounds!!

Bonus material for making it this far.
Season #18 COTR Preliminary Schedule

Mark these dates on your calendar for the fall of 2024 so that you remember to NOT book a work conference, concert, dentist appointment or anything else!!  The Council of Cross will be BUSY getting all the details set.  All you have to do is ride your bike with friends.  Practice your skills and be ready for Season #18
September 15th.  Series will kick off with Race #1
September 29th.  We will be racing someplace on the island for Race #2.
Fast and furious Race #3 will be on October 6th.
Most likely Bowen Park again on our traditional date of Thanksgiving Monday which next year is October 14th for Race #4
October 20th is Cross Fondo
We are not 100% sure on the rest of the dates but likely we will be racing on the 17th of October in costumes.
Into November mark the 3rd off with an extra hour of sleep that night and finish the season off on the island on the 17th!!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023
So good to see more group practices happening this fall.  Lets work to keep building those up.  Let us know if you have a practice and we will promote it on the newsletter!

Nanaimo Cross Practices : Done for the season.

Victoria Cross Club : Done for the season

Cowichan Cross Practices: Done for the season?

Comox Valley Cross Practices: Done for the season

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD weekend in November in Chilliwack.  This is the weekend between the COTR finals and the National Championships in Victoria.  Perfect time to dial in your fitness.  Sounds like they are going to have some youth categories which is a small step in the right direction.  Still using the really silly UCI age rule for those categories…..small steps….

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26.  So far we have not seen the event take up the suggestions that were put forth last year.

Parting Shot
In any sport there are always “those people” that jump in and help out at a moments notice.  We are lucky at Cross on the Rock to have a number of “those people”.  One of them is the manager of the Airhouse in Nanaimo.  Any Hamilton.  He is always ready to take some kids around the course, jump in to lead the Riverway Dental Hot lap races, move something heavy and also sponsor the kids race prizes for the Muc Off Cup.  Then he goes and races OPEN!  One of the few people in open in costume!  Always taking it out HARD.  Thanks Andy and all of our other “those people” that step in to help make the series great.

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #6 – Time for Hot Crossed Bunnies!!


MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023.
Newsletter #6 – Time for Hot Crossed Bunnies!!

BROAD STREET GP – If you were there.  You know how awesome it was.

Hot Crossed Bunnies this weekend.


Some information on results and team names to get you warmed up.

GET SIGNED UP FOR NOT CROSSED BUNNIES HERE

Results and Team Names

We have been having some issues with the crossontherock email server. If you have sent an email about an incorrect result and have not received a response, please email palleus@hotmail.com directly and we will get your result corrected asap.
For the team competition, your team name must be exactly the same as the others on your team. To edit your team name, age or home town, find the Edit link to the right of your result.
Then use the Get Password button to have your unique password emailed to the email address you used to register for the race.
You can then edit your details. The same password can be used for all events of the season. If you are a team manager, please contact roland@rabien.com for a master password you can use to edit all members of your team.

1. Hot Crossed Bunnies. Race #5 – Preview

COSTUMES-COSTUMES-COSTUMES.  We will be giving away some MUC off and GOODR prizes to the racers with the BEST costumes!!

We don’t know which side numbers are just yet but we will try to post on Saturday night so you can pre-pin!

Read this first.  As it was last year Beban Park is still an active construction zone as a huge water main project is happening in the park.  The area we race has pipe storage on it again this year which has caused us to move and alter the course based on where the pipes are.  Nanaimo Parks and Recreation and in particular a few people that work there have worked hard to make sure this race happens.  We are going to put this in all caps now and repeat it in a two places in this newsletter as well as on social media.  IF ANYONE FROM OUR EVENT AND/OR RACERS FANS OR FAMILIES GOES ON ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES THAT ARE ON SITE FOR CONSTRUCTION THEY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE RACE AND NOT ALLOWED TO RACE FOR REMAINDER OF 2023 as well as THE 2024 RACE SEASON.  The pipe storage is fenced and covered this year so just steer clear of it and we will be happy. Please tell your friends to steer clear and watch your kids.  Thank you in advance for being on this 100%

Read this second.  There is a jump competition at the Steve Smith Bike park scheduled the same day as our event.  We do not know how big or small this event will be but be aware during your pre-rides and races in that area.  It may also effect parking.

Parking:  (Consult Map) Beban park is HUGE.  But on any given weekend there is a LOT going on.  The best place to park for the race is south of the race course in the gravel lot by the Steve Smith Jump park.  This is accessed off the main road through the park by the golf course.  This is the BEST parking spot for our event. PLEASE DO NOT PARK at the soccer club house parking which is the closest to the start.  There is always soccer going on the weekends and they love their close parking lot.  The lot by the BMX track is normally under-utilized and close to all the action.  The paved parking by the Pool and arena is also a good option.  Parking on the roadways or grass is strictly forbidden and will get you towed and we will not like you.  There is limited parking as well south of the course by the golf course.  You will find a spot without parking like a…..you know…..starts with an “a”.

Team Tents:  Will be in the same spot as last year by the sand riding ring.  The Weather forecast calls for sun and gentle winds but still make sure your tent is staked and secured. It is drop and go (NO PARKING AT TEAM TENTS AREA) until we close and lock the gates around 9:30am.  After that point you will have to carry your gear in.  On the flip side the gate will be LOCKED until after the OPEN races so it will be carry out until that point.  There will be no team vehicles inside the gate or we will run out of space for the team tents.  This will be a GREAT spot to watch.  Close to the pits and the course.

Registration: As it has been all season pre-registration only.  This will close like normal at 6:00pm the night before the race.  In this case that will be SATURDAY NIGHT at 6:00pm.  The call up sheets are literally done by 6:10pm the night before the race. So if you FORGET or put it off you are unlikely to get your earned call up spot.

THE LINK TO REGISTER AGAIN IS HERE

For racers that have not raced this year race day number pick up and race central will be located in the Agriplex.  Consult the map.

Washrooms:  There will be porta johns located at the end of the opening straight away.  There are LOTS of other (Flush) washrooms located in Beban park.  You can also locate washrooms in almost all buildings in the park.  Both arenas.  Down by the artificial turf field.  In the Pool.   NO DIRTY BIKE SHOES OR DIRTY PEOPLE INSIDE THE BUILDINGS OR WASHROOMS.  Clean yourself up BEFORE going into a public area.  We want to be able to use this venue again. MORE IMPORTANTLY if you are going IN a building LOCK YOUR BIKE (Bikes have been stolen at this event when left unattended.  Don’t lose your bike)!!!

Awards: Awards location will be in the Agriplex.

Race Course: The construction this year has meant a continued shake up of our course design.  We’ll still have the classic elements that make this course great. MUD, SAND, WOOD CHIPS, PAVEMENT, GRAVEL.  It will be be awesome.

Food Truck: Sip and Sliders and One Cool Cookie (Same as Muc Off Cup),  will be on-site and ready to serve up lunch or snacks.

Post race:  We will want to get the awards going as soon as possible on Sunday.  With that in mind please help us both tear down as well as RAKE out the course.  With construction we won’t have to worry as much about the top section by the Arenas, but the hill by the BMX and the riding rings always need some work post race.  Please bring a rake and work gloves.  Many hands make light work and get the work done FAST.  We will make an announcement when we are starting the awards….and…..well…..there will be no one left on course so you will notice that the awards have started!  Ideally we would like to start as close to 4:00 as possible.  Racing will be done around 3:30 so that gives us 30 minutes to get it all done:  Torn down.  Raked.  Trailer loaded for the the District 68 XC Championships and then COWE X.

2. Broad Street Cycles GP. – Review

Video link from Roland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Y7vxb-YpE (Try and spot the Garmin as it falls off and is left behind)
From Roland
Thanks to all racers for coming out to race. Thanks to the spectators for the heckles and the prune juice hand ups.
Shout out to all the volunteers, couldn’t do it without you: Adam Lawrence, Alex Hui, Andrew McCartney, Andy Achuff, Andy Pitre, Brent Hooper, Chad Grice, Doug Doyle, Ella MacPhee, Fabian Merino, Gillian Carleton, Glenowyn Carlson, Holly Henry, Hugh Hart, James Pauly, Jen Cameron, Jon Watkin, Kevin Chen, Kimberly Chen, Liam Sargent, Marin Lowe, Mike Sargent, Richard Stark, Ros Penty, Sammy Long, Shawn McKean
Event Prizes: Broad St Cycles, Muc Off, Eleven Speed Coffee, Goodr, Roland’s Halloween supply, John’s left over bananas and apples, HLC Bike, Accent Inn.
And everybody who helped tear down the course!

SEASON #17 COTR Schedule
DONE AND DUSTY – September 10th. Season opener in Cumberland at Coal Cross.
PERFECT FALL DAY – October 1st. Cross on the Commons in Qualicum.

NOT quite as rainy as we LOVE but still awesome – October 9th. Nanaimo. Bowen park.
Once again this was a GREAT event – October 15th Triple Shot Cross fondo.
October 22nd. Broad Street Cycles GP at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.
October 29th. Hot Crossed Bunnies at Beban Park in Nanaimo
November 12th. CoweX series final at the Cowichan Fair Grounds!!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023
Nanaimo Cross Practices  LAST ONE!!!!  5:45 on Thursday!!  Rock City Cycling and Airhouse practice week we are meeting one more time at BEBAN PARK near the agriplex  Bring Lights.  Thanks to Andy at Airhouse and Rock City Cycles for bringing back these practices!

Victoria Cross Club : Done for the Season

Cowichan Cross Practices.  We have HEARD that their are some practices happening mid island with the Dirt Groms but we will try to get confirmation.  Every Tuesday a spy at the Cowichan SD office sends up video of people practicing at the field beside their office.  So there is something going on!

Comox Valley Cross Practices: Done for the Season

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD weekend in November in Chilliwack.  This is the weekend between the COTR finals and the National Championships in Victoria.  Perfect time to dial in your fitness.  HOPEFULLY Cycling Canada has modified the nationals call up so that the provincials in each province contributes to call up at Nationals like it should.

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26.  So far we have not seen the event take up the suggestions that were put forth last year.  HOPEFULLY there is still a chance for it to make some changes for the better.  We all want the National Championship to improve and develop.  Without some changes it will not.

Parting Shot
This was one of the SWEETEST bikes we have EVER seen in the OPEN category at COTR!!
Not sure who it was…..but man he rocked it!!

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #5 – And the Rain Came.



MUC OFF CUP – Wrap Up
BROAD STREET GP – Look Ahead


Short Intervals to get us warmed up.

So great to see so many COTR racers past, present and future at last Sunday’s Tripleshot Cross Fondo.  Once again such a great event!  Every year they get permission to put an amazing course through up to 70 individual owner’s properties!

MORE PHOTOS from Cross on the Commons from Patrick

POV Vi
deo from Roland’s bike during Coal Cross

It can take some time and coordination but we finally got it all sorted out and donated $2600 to Kidsport yesterday from the Menno Mid Summer Race.  Thanks again to everyone that raced and donated.

1. MUC OFF CUP – Wrap Up.

Check out this sweet edit from the crew at Rock City Cycles

PHOTOS from MUC OFF Cup from Patrick

PHOTOS from MUC OFF CUP from Roland

MUC OFF CUP in the NEWS!!

Two years ago an Atmospheric River. Last year, a drought.  In my race report last year I asked for something in between and we got it. The right amount of rain for an epic cross race.  Biggest race of the year so far, thank you to everyone that came out to race and spectate.  Big thanks to Muc Off, HLC and Pete Creighton for the support, prizes and bike washing. Pete and Muc Off support the whole series, not just our race. If you see him out make sure to give him a big thank you for all he does. Thanks to Jamie as well for coming out wrenching and washing. The race went off without a hitch thanks to the set up and timing team. Paul, Shep, Edwin, Dan, Nick, Andy, Solomon, JL, Mustapha, Chad, Erin, Joel and Noah. I hope I didn’t forget anyone. I said last year that we set a record for tear down but I’m pretty sure we beat it this year! Thank you to all the people that stick around and help.  Thanks to Patrick and Roland for the amazing job they do with timing and results.  Did everyone have a grilled cheese and some ice cream? The food was flying out fast and delicious from Jack’s Grilled Cheese and the coffee and treats from One Cool Cookie hit the spot. Thank you for coming out to our event. Thanks to Medix for being there if we needed you. The City of Nanaimo has supported cyclocross from the beginning and we really appreciate being able to host the races in our local parks. I love hearing so many racers saying that Bowen is their favorite venue.  Thanks to Norm. It’s a lot of work to put on one race let alone a series year after year! Always consistent and always professional yet he keeps the community vibe of grassroots. Corey and SeanRock City Cycles
2. Cross on the Rock 2023 Race #4 – Langford – Irwin Park – The Broad Street GP – Preview.

LANGFORD BIKE FEST IN THE NEWS (Does not sound like the clubhouse will be open for their Bikefest)

REGISTRATION CLOSES: Saturday Night at 6:00 PM.  No on site registration. 
 Also for this course we can almost guarantee this…..NUMBERS ON YOUR RIGHT!This is the third year at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park located in Irwin Park (so confusing) in Langford. Year one was a epic rain and mud, year two was fast and dry. This year should be somewhere in between. Our title event sponsor for this event is in the title: Broad St Cycles! Expect a 3km loop with a mix of fast hard packed surfaces, technical features, pump track, and a bit of mud. All set in a beautiful forested park with two mini lakes. Parking this is the BIG issue so PAY attention!!Parking is going to be tight. The club house construction is still ongoing in the main parking lot drastically reducing the number of parking spots when we already had very few. 

  • Please carpool or ride out if you live in greater Victoria.
  • Please follow the directions of the flaggers 
  • DO NOT PARK on any residential streets. (You will be towed)
  • Not annoying the neighbours is THE key to being allowed back to this venue.

There are three places you CAN park.  See the MAP.

  1. The main parking lot is at 2992 Irwin Road. Please only use this to drop off equipment and then park elsewhere.
  2. Continue on Irwin Rd and make a left onto Creekside Trail for the secondary parking lot.
  3. When both lots are full, there is overflow parking on Constellation Ave, only 500m away.

I repeat: There is NO PARKING on the shoulder of Irwin Rd or other nearby streets.
Please use a parking lot or you will be towed.

 Course Hazards

  • While we have use of the park, there may be people unaware. Keep your head up!
  • Getting to the start line requires crossing the course, please be careful when the previous race is still finishing.
  • As always, ride within your ability.
  • This course IS at a BIKE park.  Keep that in mind when you are riding the course and around.  There are JUMPS, DROPS and other features…..don’t ride something that you don’t have the skill level for. 
  • Race day is NOT the time to try something above your level!  Lets all get home intact!

RegistrationIf you have not raced this year and need to pick up your number OR if you are changing categories etc and need to come to registration.  Look for the registration tent in the main parking lot. Team tentsTents will most be near in the main parking lot and secondary parking lot. Please arrive early. If you don’t have a tent, please use the overflow parking. Lets NOT take up ALL the space with your tent AND a vehicle.  Be considerate of other racers! PrizesThanks to Broad St Cycles who will be providing sweet prizes for this event along with our generous series sponsors.

Remember….registration CLOSES at 6:00 PM on Sunday.  LINK HERE.

CategoryStart Time
Registration Open9:15 am
9:50 am
Nanaimo Track and Field Run (9:45)
Beginner Clinic
10:00 am
Launch Men (Including Youth U13 and U15)10:45 am
Launch Women (Including Youth U13 and U15)10:46 am
Riverway Dental – Bigger Kids Full lap or almost a full lap11:40
Intermediate Men (Including U17)12:10 pm
Intermediate Women (Including U17 and Masters 40 and faster Women)12:11 pm
Lil Nutcase Kids RaceNot this time.
Masters Men (40-54)1:15 pm
Super Master Men (55+)1:16 pm
Open Men2:30 pm
Open Women2:31 pm

SEASON #17 COTR Schedule
DONE AND DUSTY – September 10th. Season opener in Cumberland at Coal Cross. 
PERFECT FALL DAY – October 1st. Cross on the Commons in Qualicum.

NOT quite as rainy as we LOVE but still awesome – October 9th. Nanaimo. Bowen park.
Once again this was a GREAT event – October 15th Triple Shot Cross fondo.
October 22nd. Grand Opening of the Langford Bike Park Club (SORRY NOT GOING TO BE OPEN) house AND the Broad Street Cycles GP at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.
October 29th. Hot Crossed Bunnies at Beban Park in Nanaimo
November 12th. CoweX series final at the Cowichan Fair Grounds!!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023
Nanaimo Cross Practices  Two More left! Rock City Cycling and Airhouse practice week we are meeting at the paved parking lot at Dumont.  Bring Lights.  Rock City Cycling and Airhouse practice is at BOWEN PARK at 5:45.  Meeting by the Duck Pond at the lower small parking lot sort of in the middle of the park.  For future sites keep your eye on the COTR Socials and Rock City Cycles Socials.

Victoria Cross Club  (TWO MORE LEFT FOR THE SEASON) The BEST practice is practice races!  The longest running cyclocross events on Vancouver Island, BC and maybe Canada.  Check out this article written last year.  The “practices” stat next week and are on Wednesday Nights.  Check out their site here.

Cowichan Cross Practices.  We have HEARD that their are some practices happening mid island with the Dirt Groms but we will try to get confirmation.  Every Tuesday a spy at the Cowichan SD office sends up video of people practicing at the field beside their office.  So there is something going on!

Comox Valley Cross Practices  Check their page.  They might be done for the season with the days getting short.  Here is the FB page

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD weekend in November in the lower mainland.  This is the weekend between the COTR finals and the National Championships in Victoria.  Perfect time to dial in your fitness.  HOPEFULLY Cycling Canada has modified the nationals call up so that the provincials in each province contributes to call up at Nationals like it should.

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26.  So far we have not seen the event take up the suggestions that were put forth last year.  HOPEFULLY there is still a chance for it to make some changes for the better.  We all want the National Championship to improve and develop.  Without some changes it will not.

Parting Shot (Looking PRO)

Looking ahead to NEXT weekend!
We return to BEBAN Park for the Hot Crossed Bunnies.  The first time in YEARS that the series final will not be at Beban Park!