Venue support from Coastal Community Credit Union.

Good luck to everyone racing the Tripleshot Cross Fondo tomorrow!!  If you are driving down island PLEASE take care.  We just came back from Victoria and there is a lot of standing water and quite a few wrecked vehicles.  The Cross Fondo is an amazing event with access to over 30 private properties.  You can only ride it on race day so have a great race!!

LOTS of Notes for this week: 

• Registration should be OPEN for Cowe X…..we are not sure what the hold up is with CCN?  We will post on our socials and web site as soon as they get it open. It closes at the usual time of 6:00pm the night before the race.
• Ross Greenwood sent photos from Race #3 and Race #4 if you want to check those out.
• If you are not racing the Tripleshot Cross Fondo tomorrow BUT you want to race.  You could head over to Surrey for the Junk Yard Dog CX Race.
• Ari Robinson took some self described “Mediocre photos” of the Masters and Open races.  You can check those out here!
• Have you had a chance to check out Pelle’s  21 amazing minutes from the Launch and Intermediate races?  This weekend is your chance!!
• MORE stuff from Twin City X.  Check out The Jake Poppers POV from Intermediate
• Sign up for the MUC OFF CUP NOW!!!!  Registration closes 6:00pm on Sunday and inevitably someone is going to forget!! 

1. Cowe X Preview
Want to get FIRED up for CoweX?  Start by watching Roland’s Video from 2022!

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 into the bathrooms PLEASE.  We are expecting A LOT of mud this weekend 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, maybe even another epic whirly or two.  As of right now we are thinking the field will be less of a quagmire then last year but we have hoses so rest assured there will be MUD!!.  You will have to be there to see it.  The run up will also remain from 2023/2023!  There is some fresh work on the field that we will have taped off so please no riding on it!

Food Trucks:  Our food truck has fallen through at the last minute and are looking for other options.  If anyone knows of a food truck looking for events send them my way!!

Costumes:  It is almost Halloween so we want to see everyone out dressed up to their best.  We will have a best costume podium and prizes!

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, Cycles West. Hotel Zed and Muc Off!!  Plus Riverway Dental for the Hot Lappers and kids races (HLC Bike and Pete also secured us some EVOC Waterbottles for the kids races for this one)

2.  Race #4 Review.  The MUC OFF CUP!!!!!!

From Race Director Corey:
Thanks to all the racers and their families that came out to the Muc Off Cup this year. I think we had just the right amount of rain this year! The race went smooth from set up to tear down.  Thanks to the set up and timing crew volunteers that came out and to all the people that stayed to help tear down.  As always big thanks to Pete Creighton and HLC for being the presenting sponsor with Muc Off and to Pete for coming out and cleaning bikes!  Thanks to Patrick and Roland, and Medix  for always keeping the consistency and safety at all Cross on the Rock races.  Thanks to Sip and Sliders for the great burgers, fries and shakes. They brought extra and still sold out.  Thanks to the City of Nanaimo. They helped keep the organization quick and easy! Hopefully not to much damage was done. One day we might get a few city employees out to race!!  Special thanks to Norm for keeping this going. As life goes on, kids get older and commitments grow he is always there. Still getting decent results too!!! Thanks Corey and Sean and the Rock City Team 

RANDOM Notes from Norm:

• Bowen park is one of our “home” races.  We train there and get to race there.  Very special!  At the same time it is one of the races I think about the most as I want it to be GREAT.  Not much sleep the night before.  More stress leading into it.  When it is done and everything has gone well….it is a HUGE relief!
• The 8th row of the Masters Men’s race had some of the HEAVIEST hitters of Masters Cyclocross to EVERY start that far back.  2 of them: Bob Welbourn and Jacob Rodgers were into the top 10 before the end of the row and ended up 1st and 3rd for the race.  Derek Vinge ended up 7th powering through the field on a single speed.  The 4th heavy hitter and COTR Alumni Brian Green ended up 13th.  Some impressive rides!
• If you have not had a chance to check out Rock City Cycles social media from the race take a minute to go to their page.  As well we posted an interview with Open Women’s winner and 3rd over all for COTR podiums (could pass Drew Mackenzie for 2nd if she shows up again this season) Emilly Johnston on our instagram and FB.  We have at least one more interview to post so keep an eye on that!
• SO many people posted on their IG, Strava, FB after Bowen that it was their favorite version of Bowen and/or their favorite COTR course of all!  So great to hear.  We want to keep racing there so it is amazing to have such positive feedback!!
• See you at Cowe X

Bring a friend out to race the Cowe X course is one of the MOST TAME courses in the COTR series.  Perfect for first timers or return racers!!

Parting Shot.  The finish of Cowe X 2023 Masters Group shot.  After all…..it is about the people and the racing!! (I never noticed the guy holding his bike up in the left part of this photo before!)

Venue support from Coastal Community Credit Union.

BEFORE we get into notes, Twin City X and the Muc Off Cup we just want to express something that we believe as a race series.  It has been the same way for 18 years.  We believe in encouraging people to come out and race.  To get to the start line.  To enjoy the battles.  To make it to the finish.  Since the start that has been our goal.  With that “acceptance” we do NOT CARE if you ride a MTB.  We have had LOTS of MTB’s over the year.  Heck I think Rob Britton raced his first Diver Lake race years ago on a MTB and look at his career since!  Don’t hassle people about the bike they ride at COTR.  We don’t care.  You should not care.  If they are beating you on a MTB or a road bike or a gravel bike and you are on a cx bike……just enjoy the battle and try to get them next time.  The last  thing we need is a snowboard/ski or sup/surf or road/off road attitude at our races.  We are here to have fun.  No one wants someone calling them out for the bike they ride.  Neither do we!

LOTS of Notes for this week: 

• Tripleshot Cross Fondo has only 50 spots left.  Registration DEADLINE is October 11th.  This is a wicked event (like a 25/45km COTR race) so we don’t put an event on in conflict with this race.  If you have not done it you should.  If you have you should again!!
• Lots of COTR past and present alumni racing off-island this past weekend!  Some at the  World Cup MTB finals.  Others at the last race of the Pro CX Cup in the USA.  So cool to see people taking it to the next level and challenging themselves further and further!
• If you have been on our COTR web site over the years you have probably watched a video or two from Pelle Gustavs.  Some of the original COTR videos WAY back from 2010 are Pelle’s.  The only ones that pre-date Pelle were Rob Williamson shot on TAPE and transferred to DVD!  WELL…..Pelle is BACK.  He shot a LOT of video this past Sunday.  SO MUCH that he had to split it up.  We will get the Masters and Open LATER but for now here is 21 amazing minutes from the Launch and Intermediate races!!
• We asked for photo links and we got some!!  Only known as the “Friend of Ellie Winchell” they have shots of the Intermediate, Masters and Launch.
• A request from the dad of one of our young racers: “Reminding spectators to stay off the track..my son went in the bushes and over the bars avoiding a women texting on her phone during the race on the track!  He is fine but maybe send out a reminder!”
• Sign up for the MUC OFF CUP NOW!!!!  Registration closes 6:00pm on Sunday and inevitably someone is going to forget!! 

1. Race #3 Review.  Twin City X.
We warned everyone.  If you missed Twin City X last Sunday you would be disapointed on Monday.  No more true words were ever typed!

Want a sweet POV video of the action in Masters last weekend.  Check out Roland’s bike cam!  All the actions.

Notes from race director Nik:
 A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to the return of Port Alberni!! This event went off! What a success. Still in a deep cross trance ATM.. A big thank you to all the volunteers: Jeremy, Lee, Steph, Norm, Patrick, Dan, Hog boy, Sarah, Chris, Seana, Robin, Monika, Slotboom, Nick, Enzo, Dave, Andy @ Airhouse, Pete @ Muc-off/HLC, Warwick @ Gogilding.ca, and anyone else I’m missing!! Also thank you to all who helped bug Norm to secure Port Alberni in the COTR series this year! You know who you are 😉 (You can start petitioning for PORT FINALS 2025 COTR)!!!! one can dream… Things to remember FOREVER: – The Kids… were stoked! One parent asked me “Are the kids going through the mud pit? Because that’s the only reason he wanted to sign up.” Tessa was smiling ear to ear. I even watched 2 riders in LAUNCH sending the jump!! – Jump into mud pit into wood chips  4.5 out of 5 level of spice- DJ Dave for working the beats for over 5 hours!!- “Super booter”, ” North shore skinny jump”, “huck to flat”, ” wood gap jump” – The party train of Intermediate men sending it off that jump! I think 12 in a row WOW! crowd went nuts.- The Open only run up….. The hardest and slowest I & many others have ever gone in a CX race- The VIBES!!!    The people were stoked on this style cross event. – Heckling     So many people cheering, heckle fests all over.. THE BEST- 99% finished & no one needed first aid! The biggest THANK YOU goes out to:- Norm for allowing me to host and get spicy with the course.- Lee for being my partner in crime with this event, A.S.S.* grand master, and an all around legend!- Fire fighters of P.A. for the water dump- DJ DAVE Local event sponsors: Wade @ Godfather garage, Jason @ Cannondale, Corey& Arron @ Twin City Brewing, Deon& Kayla @ Bomber boulders , Lee @ The Jumping Slug The Team @ Fall fair grounds snuck in during the event and were very excited!Fingers crossed we will be able to use this great venue again.Thanks to all who helped clean up. It went down FAST! I would love to see Cyclocross grow to pre-2020 numbers.. 
One thing you can do: At your local race this year. Ask ALL your friends and family. Cycling or not. The more people we get racing, cheering, and supporting these events the more epic battles per category we get.
(Port had nearly 10 people race, that had NEVER tried cross before) Much love,Nik @ The Slug “

Quick notes from Norm as this is a BIG newsletter.

• I vote the top 30 Masters do the LONG course next year!  We have to figure out how to do it!!
• 8th place for “Most Tame” race out of the 120 races we have done!
• Such a great vibe at this race ALL DAY! 
• Can’t wait to go back!

2.  Race #4 Preview.  The MUC OFF CUP!!!!!!

REGISTRATION CLOSES: Sunday Night at 6:00 PM.  No on site registration. 

Muc-Off is not “just” the title sponsor of the Cross on the Rock Series but they are also back as title sponsor of the Muc Off Cup once again this year! It is always great to have all their amazing products and Pete the Legend working hard washing bikes again (If needed). The Bowen park course is a classic. At the point of writing there is a REAL chance of “showers” for Monday.  The forecast has changed every day this week. There could be a little rain,  or a lot….or NONE but you should for certain keep an eye on that and have your mud tires and warm blankets ready.  We do not want to be caught off guard like the EPIC conditions of 2021. 

The course will be similar to the last few years with a road section start, into a  single track wooded climb, quick down hill, then onto the grass for lots of twists and turns before the infamous stairs and volley-ball court/sand section.  For the most part the course will be similar to previous years but once we get into the bowl area it is up to the crew setting up on how our adventure looks!
The Stats!!
This race has some impressive stats over the history of the event.

• Biggest race of all time!  2019
  • 5th biggest in 2018
  • 6th biggest in 2017
• Biggest category of all time masters men 40-54 in 2019 with 88 racers
• Most DNF’s EVER in 2014
  • 4th most DNFs in 2010
  • 10th most DNFs in 2011
• LEAST DNF’s ever in 2016
  • 2nd least DNFs in 2019!
• Two Time venue for the Provincial Cyclocross Championships
• MOST RAIN ever during one of our races for the 2021 Masters Men’s race.  It was INSANE!!

Course Hazards

• First of all the park is open to the public.  There are people everywhere and some will NOT be aware of the race or cyclists on course.  Keep your head up!!
• Please be very cautious of the down-hill section after the pool.  This is the fastest section with some BIG trees that can break your shoulder or your head.
• There are slippery sections, roots and trees and uneven ground all over the place and it will be WET
• You MUST stay to the inside of the cones on the upper road near the tennis courts. This is very important as we are sharing the road with other park users.
• The last hazard is the down-hill after the stair section. Please use caution, as it its steep and can be slippery.

Parking

• There is LOTS of parking in the AREA of the race but maybe not RIGHT beside the registration/finish area.  You have a bike….you can park a little ways away.
• The main Parking is located in the lot beside the Volley Ball courts off WALL STREET.  These spots are not marked so please don’t park like a donkey and mess it up for other people.  Organized rows!
• Overflow parking can be found across the street at the Curling Club.
• There is also some parking up by the park administration buildings by the tennis courts and then above that by the pool.
• All spots are within 1 minute of the main race area.

Registration/Number pick up and race central

• Will be located near the Volley Ball courts

ALWAYS: Please be courteous to other park users.

Team Tents

• One row on the grass in front of parking area.
• Then a second row against the curb in the parking lot.
• STAKE YOUR TENTS!

Please do not put any tents on the opposite side of the course. Only event tents are allowed in that area.  Thanks

Food Truck.
For a food truck this year we have back again Sip and Sliders food truck!  SO GOOD!!
PLEASE ABSOLUTELY STAY OFF THE COURSE AFTER RACE DAY!

Lastly we can almost guarantee this…..NUMBERS ON YOUR LEFT!

Remember….registration CLOSES at 6:00 PM on Sunday.  Although the MUC OFF cup has never been voted as the #1 Cyclocross race in Canada by Cycling Canada we know that is because they have never been to our event.  If they had they would be voting the MUC OFF Cup the #1 race in Canada and Cross on the Rocks the #1 Cyclocross series in Canada.  That is just fact!

It is about the community.  Racing.  Respect.  Repeat.
Remember to recommend COTR to people that ride and bring a friend out to race!!

Coming Up THIS Monday:

Parting Shot.
Race director Nik enjoying his mad creation at the Alberni Fair Ground! (from Ellie’s “friend”)

Venue support from Coastal Community Credit Union.

We begin this week’s newsletter with some sad news.  One of our #1 supporters and a fixture in the timing tent for years passed away in her sleep last Sunday after Coal Cross.  Lexi will be missed and our heart goes out to Patrick.

Short Notes for this week: 

• We have a photo link for you this week: Lindsey Fraser shared some of her photos from Sunday.
• If you have other photo galleries please send them our way and we will share with the COTR community!
• Racing Men’s Supermasters?  We have new 2024 stickers for the front of your helmet to help with timing when there are 100+ dudes on the course.  Come and get one from registration at the next race you are at (if you have already raced this year)

1. Race #3 Preview.  Twin City X.
REGISTRATION LINK.  CLOSING AT 6:00pm on SATURDAY (As always)

Location: Port Alberni Fair Grounds-3737 Roger St, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 8J4  Fair grounds located at the end of Vimy St                            –  2.5 hour drive from Victoria                           – 1 hour drive from Nanaimo                           – 1.5 hour drive from Duncan                          – 1 hour drive from Cumberland Parking: (SEE THE MAP) There is a HUGE parking area.  As you enter the grounds you will turn right, there is a giant gravel parking area. Look for the signs.  Do NOT park near your team tent. The gates to team tents will be closed after 10am!! Get here early to set up tents. Registration: If you need to pick up your race number,  make some change or switch your category it will be located right out front on the Kinsmen building as you enter the grounds.  Washrooms will also be around the same building. Team Tents: All team tents will go up against the horse corral. See the attached map. Head into the grounds. Drop your tent and go park!  No room for vehicles. The gates to team tents will be closed after 10am!! 
The pits will be located close to team tents Course:  Grass, sand, MUD, tractor pull, sawdust and a run up that will give Bowen a run for its money..  It is a flat course, but flowy and still has that true Port Alberni flavour. 
Did we mention there is a live DJ AND a Fire truck coming to soak our mud pit!?!?This is THE race of the season, you won’t want to miss it!!  Course Hazards:  While we have use of the grounds, there may be people unaware. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP. 
The course will have some special features… if you have not hit these features in practice, do not fly the SUPER HERO cape in the race! OPEN Category ONLY Section there is a extremely fast DH (biggest in COTR history)Please make sure you are entering this section slowly..  Stick to the LEFT side of the cones as you rip down the path.(This section will be open to park users so HEADS UP!!)It is followed by a MANDATORY run up!! If you get caught by the marshal trying to ride this section you will get DISQUALIFIED!!!!! It is a very steep hill and you could easily hurt yourself and/or others if you lost your balance trying to gain a second riding your bike. Food Truck:  Hojo’s Eats are coming to town. They offer something for everyone. Warm food, snacks, and drinks. Hojo’s Eats has you covered for that mid race day fix!  Beer gardens: For the first time since Beban 2017?  Twin City Brewing from Port Alberni will be serving up their delicious beer! Make sure to have a cold one while cheering on the race. Prizing:  Prizing will be provided by The Jumping Slug Bike Shop, Eleven Speed Coffee, Twin City Brewing, Godfather Garage, Cannondale, Hotel Zed, Barnside Brewing Co. and our title sponsor Muc Off!!

Huge draw prize for one lucky racer at the end of the day! (Must be there to win the prize)






2. Race #2 Review.  The vibe was Coal Crossing.
 Notes from Tom and Brett:

Thanks to everyone for coming up to Cumberland and being part of a great event. The atmosphere and racing was fabulous. A huge thank you to all the volunteers that made the race come together: Scott McGregor, Brett & Sinead Whitehead, Beth, Ben and Eli Pechter, Sophia & Andrew Sauter, Gavin MacPhail, Megan Racher, Jim Meldrum, Andrea Scott, Alex Smith, Cameron, Owen, Alex, Annabelle & Talia, Erica, Dan Lehton, Judith Writhg and her friend Angela, Tim Roberts was amazing, cutting, clearing and setting up the course once again, and a huge thanks to Sarah Hassall and Scott Manktelow for jumping in for first aid duties. Thanks to everyone who helped tear down the course as well.  It is always SO HELPFUL when people jump in and help out.  It goes FAST.  Awards are earlier.  Everyone is done quicker!

Many thanks to our local sponsors for this event:  Trail Bikes, Blue Toque Sports, Biblio Taco and Skratch for the category winners thanks to Drew.
 It was awesome to see so many great battles out there, and people getting out of their comfort zones to take the optional jump line. Rumor is that Norm even hit it from lap three on. 
Norm’s Notes: 

• There is a LOT going on at the races EVERY time.  I don’t get to see as much as I would like.  A few things stand out though…..
• Cumberland always has a great feel to it.  From all the spectators by the barriers.  The team zone.  Over by the pits and the one little dude cheering me on from his marshal spot at the start of Dog Leg each lap.  I thank that kid!!
• Great fun battling it out in the Masters Category again.  Such a great group of guys and I hope everyone feels that in the category they are racing with!
• Need more Launch women!!
• The Open Women category had more racers that was their first race of the season….that means we have had 16 women race OPEN so far this year…..we just need EVERYONE in EVERY category to SHOW UP on the same day!!  HUGE event!!
• Tycho took his day of race to the next level last weekend.  Racing the Launch.  Then being the rabbit for the Riverway Dental Hot Lap Race.  MEGA cheering for Mom and Dad during their two races.  THEN helping out with the awards.  HUGE day!!
• The two retro-tech guys on the 90’s MTBs in the OPEN category.  Proving you just have to RIDE and get out there.

It is about the community.  Racing.  Respect.  Repeat.
Remember to recommend COTR to people that ride and bring a friend out to race!!

Coming Up on Thanksgiving Monday:

Parting Shot.  David Prothero shuttling his Single Speed Humu Retro tech bike to the event on Sunday.  Perfect shuttle vehicle.

Venue support from Coastal Community Credit Union.

More Short Notes: 

• Graham Orr, Iris Loots, Cameron Meldrum, Lea Cicon, Ross Greenwood, Claire Townsend, Katja Verkerk, Charlee Alleyn.  8 out of 11 winners at the Victoria Cyclocross GP had one thing in common. They were ALL on the top step of the podium for the FIRST TIME at COTR!
• Get registered for Coal Cross!
• Katja Verkerk (2nd overall in Open women CotR 2023) won the 2024 Elite Women’s Canadian National Gravel Championships in AB. She is off to the Gravel World Championships in Belgium in 3 weeks.
• Izaiah Sheerin lost his GARMIN Edge 530 at Topaz Park during his race.  It did not show up in the lost and found but if you found it let us know and we will try to reunite it with Izaiah.
• The registration for Twin City X in Port Alberni should be approved and live in the next day.  The MUC OFF CUP will be close to follow.
• We are working on a multi-race-in one day discount like we used to be able to do when we were with Race Roster.  We will keep you posted.
• Racing Men’s Supermasters?  We have new 2024 stickers for the front of your helmet to help with timing when there are 100+ dudes on the course.  Come and get one from registration on Sunday or at the next race you are at (if you have already raced this year)

1. Race #2 Preview.  Coal Cross in Cumberland!

The furthest race north on Vancouver Island is legendary.  The first Comox Valley race at the Hostel and Puntledge was 75 min for 1st place and still stands at 6th place for most DNF’s % in a race!  That race was won by Troy Woodburn and 2nd place was a world cup MTB and Olympic racer Andreas Hestler.  Well Andreas will be back this weekend racing at Coal Cross for the first time since 2006 and only his 4th Cross on the Rock Race.  The difference this time will be it will be a family race day with his son making his COTR debut in the Launch category! 
Registration is OPEN until 6:00 Saturday night.  Then it is CLOSED.  So do NOT leave it until 5:59pm on Saturday as you will not get registered!

The Course: Some slight modifications to last year’s course are in the works, but expect a fast and mostly flat course for race #2 of the Muc Off – COTR season. Village Park is hosting us again with one of the best COTR courses, local sponsors: Biblio Taco, Blue Toque, Trail Bicycles, and Easton/Raceface will be supporting our event with great prizes along with our series sponsors.

This event supports the Trail Bicycles youth race team as well.  The weather forecast looks good, and we’re looking forward to seeing you all there. 

You only need to pick up a number if you have not raced in race #1 OR if you lost your race number (Bring $5 cash for a replacement)

As always if everyone can pitch it to tear down and pack up then we can be doing awards and on our way quicker.

Also note: Biblio Taco should OPEN this Sunday.

2. Race #1 Review. Victoria Cyclocross Grand Prix p/b Pro City and Tripleshot. WHAT AN EVENT!!

Notes from Race Director Scott Mitchell.

Another awesome day for Cyclocross in Victoria. It was great to see so many people out for the season opener and the weather was pretty perfect for racing.  I couldn’t believe how many kids came out and raced, I’m sure we will see many of them racing and standing atop podiums in the future. Can’t believe how fast the course came down, that was such a relief after a long day of directing and racing. Thanks to all that helped clean up!

There were several key volunteers that deserve a BIG THANK YOU!

Kevin from Tripleshot rallied a great crew of volunteers to make this event happen, but we also saw several last minute helpers jump in to make the event run smooth. 

Lister deserves a big thanks for finding a loophole in the City Construction plans and getting us a foot in the door to get a permit less than 3 weeks before the event.  (Norm’s note…..this is a much longer story than once sentence!)

The course crew, Cory, Kevin, Kyle, James, Michelle, Mark, Jasper, Amy, Hugh, Griffin, Rowan, Andy and here were more….sorry if I missed ya.

Also the critical number trackers in the registration and timing tents, Patrick, Coleen, Ross, Clay, Matt, Kimberly, Tendo, Robin, Christy, Brandy, Kevin, and Jasper,  not an easy job but a job well done.

Dave and Kimberly thanks for hosting the Beginner Clinic!

I’m sure there were several more that pitched in in all aspects of the day and I’m sorry if I missed you.

The City of Victoria Parks Department hasn’t complained…… fingers crossed….. so please respect the area and keep away with your cross bike.  Although this might be the last Topaz race, we say that often…..  We will certainly try and race at Topaz again if the park renovations allow for enough course.  

As always Norm is the super industrial glue that holds these events together.  Its amazing to see his family out following his lead and helping with the events throughout the day. They are always calm and collected, organized, and deserve so much credit for the success of this event and the entire series.  Thanks Thibault Family!

Big thanks to Trek Bikes Victoria for supplying swag including a sweet Trek Wahoo 24” Kids bike.  Support your local bike shop because they support these fun events!

Norm’s Notes: 

• Thanks to Kimbery and Dave for leading the pre-ride and again to Kimberly for leading the Riverway Dental Hot lap.
• Overhearing conversations at Topaz Park when we were riding around…..man people were EXCITED for cyclocross and to have the series going!
• Heading north with the COTR trailer we spotted bikes with their new timing chips all over the place from Mayfair mall to Chemanus.
• So great to see SO MANY first time winners at this race!!  The more different winners the better (in my opinion)
• How did Evan not melt in that long sleeve skin suit?

It is about the community.  Racing.  Respect.  Repeat.
Remember to recommend COTR to people that ride and bring a friend out to race!!

Coming Up SOON: