Cross on the Rock

MAZDA is awesome for continuing their title sponsorship of the COTR series. They will have the CX-9 out again at Village Park on Sunday for people to check out. Through the season they will be displaying different CX series vehicles at different races. Check them out.

The Warm Up

Photos from Patrick: https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/albums/72157686790961104

Merchandise! T-Shirts and Hats will be available for the first time this season at Coal Cross. Limited quantities. We have socks coming as well…..yes…..COTR socks!

• If you are EVER changing categories at a COTR event. Say you raced Beginners and are moving up to Intermediate. ANY category change. You NEED to have new race numbers. Each set of race numbers will be for a specific race. This prevents an expert hanging out around the finish line from being recorded in the beginner race etc. So if you are changing races……get new numbers (and remember which set goes with which race).
• Some tips on passing at COTR without getting people ANGRY!! When passing, call out “on your left” or “on your right” when you’re close. Don’t expect them to move a lot to get out of the way, just warn them what side you’re on so they don’t turn into you. When being passed, don’t try to stop them passing, but you don’t have to slow or move a lot. You could go off course or lose grip. When it’s straight, give some room.”
• One of our racers asked a good question post-Tugboat. The question/situation was: I was running the sand section that ran parallel and just inland from the beach run, and rider number ### came riding up behind me, shouted at me, and proceeded to repeatedly run into the back of me and my bike as I ran ahead of him and even caught and pulled my bike away from me as I attempted to remove it from my shoulder. He seemed to think that because he was riding the sand that he shoud have a clear path and that it was acceptable to run into me and my bike. I am relatively new to the sport, but what I have read and watched about sand is that it is a viable strategy to run sand and force your competitors behind you to dismount and run. I wasn’t being obnoxious about it though and kept my line on the far left throughout the pit. Was I in the wrong? Am I not allowed to use this strategy? This was our response for your consideration: While I would not say your strategy is “wrong” it is not “sporting” by any means. If someone is racing and riding an obstacle that you can not/are not the sporting thing would to give that person the opportunity to do it. You of course are not obliged to….but it is more sportsmanlike. I am not saying what he did was “OK”. He sounded like he was being a “not nice person” (We used another word in here).

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1. COTR 2017 Series Schedule Change
2. Tugboat Cross Review
3. Coal Cross Preview
4. Race Registration
5. Mid week CX on the Island

1. COTR 2017 Series Schedule Change

The council of cross starts planning the following season LONG before the current one finishes. Even with MUCH advanced planning though we are often thrown curve balls when trying to pull together 8 events. With that we are announcing that COTR 2017 Race #7:

De Grote Prijs van Fairgrounds scheduled for November 5th will become “Days of Thunder – #2” with “Days of Thunder – #1” occurring the day before. BOTH events will be held at Western Speedway. Race director Drew MacKenzie is a master of course design and has promised he will deliver 2 different courses at the same venue for the Double Header weekend.

2. Tugboat Cross Review

From Co-Race director Mike Pollock (who along with his wife Tara are the BRAINS behind Tugboat)

“S” is for sand, stairs and surf!
Thanks to everyone how came out and suffered in Ladysmith last weekend. Grimaces and smiles everywhere! Transfer Beach is an amazing venue so a big thanks to the town of Ladysmith and the Parks and Recreation team who once again allowed us to host an amazing race. So many women, so many kids, the future of Cross on the island looks bright and fast. And the fastest clean up I have ever seen. Thank you all. #COTR2017

Thanks, Mike

Norm’s Notes:

• Tugboat did not disappoint…..it NEVER has. One of the most masterful courses in the history of COTR. VERY challenging. VERY hard. Unbelievably beautiful
• The weather was A factor again.
• a HUGE amount of wheel to wheel action which we LOVE to see.
• The Mazda Zoom Zoom races continue to be HUGE with us having to run 2 heats again!!
• SO many YOUTH in the beginner category!!
• Can’t wait for COTR #3 this weekend in Cumberland!

3. Coal Cross Preview

Time to get FIRED UP for Sunday. Are you registered yet?

The first thing you need to know is that Greg MacDonald‘s awesome restaurant, Bibliotaco, will be open until 9pm on Sunday. While I don’t recommend pounding one of the amazing Burritos BEFORE your race…..they make excellent recovery meals!

While you are thinking about tacos and burritos check out this edit from the 2012 Coal Cross.

This is the “working” map. Actual course set up and final racing format may vary. The IMPORTANT part is NO RIDING ON THE FIELDS!

Norm’s Notes:
Coal cross returns to Cumberland this year. The original Coal cross was held 10 years ago and it officially our LONGEST cx race in the history of our series. Check out the results here: http://www.crossontherock.com/php/race-results/?raceid=8 You will see some LEGENDARY names on the results sheet (worth checking out for length of race….and who was racing back then).

Course Description:
FAST.

Venue:
Village park in Cumberland. EASY to find! Directions. Take the hwy. to the Cumberland exit. Go to Cumberland. Turn left on the main street. Park will be on the right. See map of where to park.

Team tents:
Take a look at the map for reference. Tents will go along the road by the BMX track. I don’t think we can fit vehicles in there as well as there are normally so many tents so it will be drop-set-up and go. Must be in and set before the first race starts. First come.

Coal Cross Race Day Schedule
We are back to our usual race schedule which we will be using for the remainder of the race season.
PLEASE NOTE: We are extending our CUT-OFF time to 30 minutes before your race. Make sure you are REGISTERED and ready!

Registration/Number Pick Up/Race day Procedure

ALREADY RACED THIS YEAR: If you did the first COTR race this year you need to bring three things: Your bike number (attached to your bike). Your race number (either attached to your jersey or ready to attach). Your license or $10. Check in at registration. Show them your license or pay $10. Check your bike tag at a separate spot set up by reg. Good to go. UNLESS you are changing categories….THEN you need a new set of race numbers.

HAVE NOT RACED THIS YEAR: Head to registration. If you are pre-reg then you don’t need a reg form (otherwise you do). If you have a license you don’t need a license form (otherwise you do). Head to the counter. Show your license (or pay $10 and give them the cycling BC form). Pick up your bike number and your body number. Check your bike tag at a separate spot set up by reg. Good to go.

4. REGISTRATION.

Almost Mandatory Pre-Registration closes at 8pm on Saturday Night as usual

Coal Cross – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14138/2017-cross-on-the-rock-coal-cross
Kona Kup – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14149/2017-cross-on-the-rock-kona-kup
Cross on the Commons – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14150/2017-cross-on-the-rock-cross-on-the-commons
Days of Thunder #1 – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14151/2017-cross-on-the-rock-day-of-thunder
Days of Thunder #2 – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14152/2017-cross-on-the-rock-de-grove-prijs-van-fairgrounds
Hot Crossed Bunnies – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14154/2017-cross-on-the-rock-hot-crossed-bunnies

5. Mid Week CX on the Island

Cross on the Rock is not the only thing happening on Vancouver Island for Cross over the next few months…..there is a LOT going on (at least until the days get too short to make any of this possible)

VICTORIA
In Victoria there is the Cross Club. 7 training “rides”.
Cross Club 2017, Victoria’s Underground Cyclocross Series Returns
Rain we need rain…. regardless it’s Cyclocross Season, so time to sharpen your CX skills!
B’s ride at 5:30pm
A’s at 6:00pm.
Details on locations will be emailed to the registered riders list each week.
Ride#3 is September 27
Ride#4 is October 4
Ride#5 is October 18
Ride#6 is October 25
Ride#7 is November 1
www.crossclubvictoria.com

COWICHAN VALLEY
First CX practice is a go for this Wednesday (tonight. August 30th) behind Quamichan high school (on Beverley) starting at 6:30pm. See you there – first race is in two weeks!! #crossiscoming”
cowichancx@gmail.com and Cowichan Cyclocross on Facebook

NANAIMO
Note earlier start time. Wednesday nights at Rock City Cycles. Cross ride starting at 5:30. Will adjust length based on daylight.

Thursday nights starting September 7th. Cross practices hosted by MIVA and run by Carey Mark. Carey3221@gmail.com . 6:00pm at Bowen Park off Wall Street. 5 weeks and re-asses based on light.

COMOX VALLEY
Wednesday Night cross practices. 5:30pm. Location will vary each week in either Cumberland/Courtenay/Comox. FB group for more info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/457383181299940/

ALSO IMPORTANT
Put October 15th on your calendar for the second year of the Cross Fondo hosted and organized by Tripleshot. 40km of backcountry trails. www.Tripleshotcrossfondo.ca Everyone that did this event last year said it was AWESOME!! They will have a table promoting the event at the race this Sunday. Stop by for more information!

The Council of cross signing off until Sunday (we will still be live on FB though).

Parting Shot from Tugboat! (I did not even know this was a jump!)

COTR – Newsletter 2017 #3 – Powered by MAZDA then cleaned and prepped by Muc Off. #COTR2017

A MAJOR thanks to MAZDA for continuing their title sponsorship of the COTR series. They will have the CX-9 out at transfer beach on Sunday for people to check out. Through the season they will be displaying different CX series vehicles at different races. Check them out.

Featuring:

• SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY – Exceptional Fuel Economy
• KODO “Soul of Motion” – Crafted to Make Driving Better
• i-ACTIV AWD – 27 Sensors Monitor Your Drive 200 Times per Second.
• SAFETY -comes with a matrix of passive and active safety features to help keep you safe.
• SPACIOUS – Seating For 7

Before we get into the “depth” of the newsletter a couple of things to go over.

#1. Stay off race courses after we have used them. This goes for Topaz Park from last weekend and any other course going forward. We need to give the park a break. Let it recover. Let the regular users have it back. Last year we ran into a problem with one of our venues in that we would remediate and then a bunch of people would ride the course and ruin the remediation so we would have to go back again. I KNOW it is perfect for training…..but PLEASE lets be considerate and preserve our courses and relationships for future use.

#2. The word “Sandbagger” is tossed around at cross races as much as the word “Bully” is around the school yard. Both words are probably over and miss used. Someone winning their first time or their first race is not a “Sandbagger”. An Elite rider riding down a category….yes….that is. Someone lapping all but 2 riders in an intermediate race….yeah….you can probably in a joke call them that. Just be careful about how you use the word. Give racers the chance to be in the winning circle every once in a while. If they are killing everyone EVERY race……then we will give them the “gentle nudge” as it is known. If it is their first time winning and they have never been top 5 in the series. This might be their year to shine in Beginners or intermediates. We keep an eye on it……and remember……we can joke with our friends only if they can take it! Most of all we are trying to get people racing and having fun.

Do you want to check out some photos from last week’s event. Here is a link to multi-time COTR photo contest winner, Patrick Burnham’s photos from last Sunday: https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/albums/72157686478898634

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1. At the races (a few tips and procedures)
2. Pro City GP Review
3. Tugboat Cross Preview
4. Are you a YOUTH rider and do you want to race for FREE in 2017? (Repeat)
5. Registration

1. At the races (a few tips and procedures)

A few little bullet point reminders for this week. A couple of these things have not been in recent newsletters PLUS we have a lot of NEW people out so it is good for them to know as well.

• It is a bike race. Although CX is probably one of the safest types of bike racing accidents will happen. We wrote this up a few years ago and we thought it would be a good time for a reminder. IF an accident happens during a race it sometimes takes a FEW people to help out to make it safe for the person in the accident as well as those still racing. The first priority is to the person that is hurt. NOT the racers. This can sometimes require the course to be diverted, short-cutted and in some cases (as it was in one of the women’s races on Sunday) it stopped and maybe re-started. At each event we have first aid staff on site. We also have a number of experts that are racing and can provide their expertise in certain situations. If you see something and the course marshall is not close (we can’t have marshals every 100m) feel free to jump in, divert traffic, warn riders. If a rider has hit their head or should not be moved. Don’t move them. Again. The first priority is to the rider that is hurt. If anyone has any questions about this please fire us a note. We will also make this more visible and a LONGER version of it on the new web site.
• We are not the World Cup or even the Canada Cup. We are and will continue to be a Grassroots cycling event. Yes….a LOT of people come out….which is AWESOME but please don’t expect the nature and feel of our events to change to a “super-pro” level. We want to keep the cost down and the vibe up.
• We mentioned at the start of a few races on Sunday about “language” and aggressiveness. Racing is racing….but being overly aggressive or use abusive language at our events will not be tolerated. We had close to 100 kids out last Sunday…..it is a FAMILY atmosphere. Lets keep going. As mentioned 1 warning. 2nd offence and you are gone for the season

2. Pro City GP Review

Race Recap:

Another historic day racing bikes in Victoria thanks to all the amazing people that came out! I was blown away by how fast the course came down thanks to everyone pitching in. Despite the chaos of organizing the weekend I even managed a decent race result. AMAZING!

There were several key volunteers that deserve a BIG THANK YOU! Deb and Lisa for their dedication to the registration table, keeping the line-ups reasonable considering the massive amount of racers. The course setup crew, Drew, Joele, Curtis, Dave Pod, Kyle, Rob, Amy, Ros, Andrew, Roland. Victoria for the help with the Beginner Clinic. Also the critical number trackers in the timing tent, Patrick, Bruce, Sherry, Dave Pod, Victoria, Ros, Joanna, and Dave S, not an easy job but a job well done. I’m sure there were several more that pitched in in all aspects of the day and I’m sorry if I missed you. Andrew from Indecent Risotto was super happy to be there and he will be back for more cross, I hope everyone loved the food. The City of Victoria Parks Department will be happy we didn’t trash the park and we are very fortunate to have the use of the space so please respect the area and keep away with your cross bike until next year. Big shout out to the Sponsors of the event Shimano and Trek Bikes Victoria for donating a few grand worth of prizes.

As always Norm is the super industrial glue that holds these events together. He is always calm and collected, organized, and deserves so much credit for the success of this event and the entire series. Thanks Norm!

Thanks, Scotty

Norm’s Notes:

• We have always talked about having a little kick off event before the first race. Saturday night it finally worked. We see that growing to be bigger in future years.
• Most people are getting the new number and bike tag system. We will keep working on a few placements of the tags with people….a few out of place (check future FB post).
• Registration will continue to get faster as more people have their race numbers. The new “procedure” will be below.
  SO MANY KIDS!! It was incredible to have to run 2 waves in the half track and 4 in the ‘Lil nutcase race. PLUS a bunch of younger kids jumping into he beginner events as well. SO awesome.
• AND……over ONE HUNDRED WOMEN!!! 104 to be exact. That has NEVER happened in a cross race in CANADA! SO INCREDIBLE!! Keep bringing your girlfriends, friends and people you know out. Recruit. Recruit. Recruit.
• Tycho and Tess sold out of their Freezies. They were PUMPED. Thanks to those that supported their 2nd annual T&T stand.
• The racing was UN-REAL. The depth is getting GREAT. The wheel to wheel action awesome. Battles from 1st to 87th place.
• Oh yeah…..cough-cough……biggest cx race in Canadian History. 387 not counting the Zoom-Zoom racers. Probably come to 460 or so with all the kids. Lets keep doing what we are doing!
• It is going to be an amazing race season!!

3. Tugboat Cross Preview

This event had to move 2 weeks earlier to swap dates with Cumberland. Because of this the park will likely be busier than when we normally have this event. There will be other park users. Remember….it is their park too! As well Sealegs kayak business will be open for business if the weather is good. They are located right on our course/area….so show extra consideration if they are open.

Norm’s Notes:

• Tugboat CX in Ladysmith has been voted the most popular event by racers the last two years. Racers LOVE this venue and this race.
• It ranks as #7 and #10 for biggest events all time
• The 2015 version of Tugboat ranks as the 8th tamest (least DNF’s) race in COTR History.
• One of the easiest races to get to by both UP and DOWN Islanders.

From the Race Directors:

Course Description:
The course will be similar to previous years with all the good characteristics; sand, stairs; and lots of fast grass.

Rain is in the forecast….so tire choice will be a serious consideration!

Venue:
Transfer beach is located on the water side of Ladysmith right under (east) of the town of Ladysmith. It is SUPER-EASY to find.

Parking will be challenging, so please car pool with friends/frenemies/teammates.

Food truck will be there and Riot Brewing will have beer gardens set up in a well positioned “heckling area”

Team tents:
Team tents are welcome and there will be an area set aside for them on the lawn near the volleyball court. First come…..first up.

Tugboat CX Race Day Schedule
We will be swapping back to our usual race schedule which we will be using for the remainder of the race season. Everything is a bit more condensed than at Topaz Park.

Category	Start Time
Registration Open	9:15 am
Beginner Clinic	10:00 am
Launch Men (formerly Beginner) (Including Youth U13 and U15)	10:45 am
Launch Women (formerly Beginner) (Including Youth U13 and U15)	10:46 am
Younglings (Bigger Kids). Full lap or almost a full lap	11:40
Intermediate Men (Including U17)	12:10 pm
Intermediate Women (Including U17 and Masters Women)	12:11 pm
Lil Nutcase Kids Race	12:15 pm
Masters Men (40-54)	1:15 pm
Super Master Men (55+)	1:16 pm
Open Men (formerly Expert)	2:30 pm
Open Women (formerly Expert)	2:31 pm

Registration/Number Pick Up/Race day Procedure

ALREADY RACED THIS YEAR: If you did the first COTR race this year you need to bring three things: Your bike number (attached to your bike). Your race number (either attached to your jersey or ready to attach). Your license or $10. Check in at registration. Show them your license or pay $10. Check your bike tag at a separate spot set up by reg. Good to go.

HAVE NOT RACED THIS YEAR: Head to registration. If you are pre-reg then you don’t need a reg form (otherwise you do). If you have a license you don’t need a license form (otherwise you do). Head to the counter. Show your license (or pay $10 and give them the cycling BC form). Pick up your bike number and your body number. Check your bike tag at a separate spot set up by reg. Good to go.

4. Are you a YOUTH rider and do you want to race for FREE in 2017? (Repeat)

After amazing participation and response last year with their support of youth races. Quadra Island based Study-Build will again be supporting and paying for YOUTH racers (up to 19 year old) for COTR this year.

Here are the requirements:

The racer must participate in 7 or 8 of the eight races this year to qualify for free entries.
For the reimbursement at end of season the racer (NOT the PARENTS) will need to submit a request, (might be a simple google form)
Then we’ll mail them a cheque

While we LOVED the “enthusiasm” of the money mosh pit last year at Saanich. This will be a more reasonable way to do this and take a bit of pressure off the final awards.

5. REGISTRATION.

Unfortunately if you did not register for the SERIES when that was an option then you have to register for the rest of the events separately. Pre-registration closes at 8pm the night before each of these events.

Pro City Cyclocross Grand Prix – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14135/2017-cross-on-the-rock-pro-city-racing-gp
Tugboat Cross – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14137/2017-cross-on-the-rock-tugboat-cross
Coal Cross – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14138/2017-cross-on-the-rock-coal-cross
Kona Kup – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14149/2017-cross-on-the-rock-kona-kup
Cross on the Commons – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14150/2017-cross-on-the-rock-cross-on-the-commons
Day of Thunder – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14151/2017-cross-on-the-rock-day-of-thunder
De Grote Prijs van Fairgrounds – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14152/2017-cross-on-the-rock-de-grove-prijs-van-fairgrounds
Hot Crossed Bunnies – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14154/2017-cross-on-the-rock-hot-crossed-bunnies

Check your in-box next week for Newsletter #4 with a Tugboat CX-Recap

The Council of cross signing off until Sunday (we will still be live on FB though).

Example of a bike number “Don’t”. We want it attached to the seat post. NOT the seat rail please.

A few new things happening with the newsletter. We have consolidated our mailing list to Mailchimp which will make things a bit smoother (eventually) on our end. It will also make it (eventually) easier to subscribe and unsubscribe. IF you are reading this on the web site and did not get the e-mail….and you want the e-mail. You are not on the mailing list and you should sign up for it!

Just a WARNING. This e-mail is HUGE. But it is because there is a LOT of information!!

Also if you are a cyclist or knows a cyclist that is NOT racing COTR (you might be getting this because you are a super-fan) There is the ALS ride on Sunday in the Cowichan Valley. Poster is attached at the end.

A MAJOR thanks to MAZDA for continuing their title sponsorship of the COTR series. They will have the CX-3 out at the venue on Sunday for people to check out. Through the season they will be displaying different CX series vehicles at different races. Check them out.

Newsletter #2

54 people out for cross practice in the Comox Valley yesterday. 54!
35 out for the Rock City Cycles team welcome night.

Um…..things are getting S-E-R-I-O-U-S!

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1. Pro City GP Preview

2. Are you a YOUTH rider and do you want to race for FREE in 2017?

3. What you need to get used to doing to race COTR in 2017

4. Weekly cross happenings on the island.

5. Registration.

1. Pro City GP Preview

First of all. Do you want to AVOID all registration line ups on Sunday morning? Do you want to pre-pin your race number and have it PERFECT before you leave the house for the race? Do you just want to chat CX with like minded people for a while while you enjoy a BEER?

For the FIRST TIME EVER!!

For all that have PRE-REGISTERED (by NOON on Saturday) and don’t want to wait in line Sunday morning. Stop by the Trek Bicycle Store, PRO CITY RACING headquarters 338 Catherine St in Victoria on Saturday from 5:30-8:00pm and pick up your number and timing chip. We will also have some complimentary beverages to help you pre-hydrate for the race on Sunday. Join us for the Season Kick off Party. Hang out with fellow Cross Fiends and and chat tactics, brag about your new cross bike, and talk tire pressure.

Second of all. Tessa and Tycho would like you to pop by their Freezie stand to buy a pre or post race freezie. $1. They tried to do this at the MIVA Diver lake race….but their were technical difficulties. Make their day. Buy a freezie!

Course Description:
The City of Victora has allowed the use of Topaz park again for 2017.
The course will be very similar to last year. Some corners will change a bit but the layout will be the same. Taking advantage of Topaz park’s varied terrain including grass, wood chip trails, rocks, and more grass. The 2017 race course is fast, fun, and flowing with a mix of high/low speed riding, wide open power sections, technical cornering, and fluid long radius turns over varied surfaces. Race your file tread tires, bring your horsepower and your cornering skills.

Venue:
Topaz Park is located at the corner of Finlayson Street and Blanshard Street in Victoria. Parking is available on the north end of the park off of Finlayson Street or on the East side of the park by taking Spruce St off of Quadra Street. Additional parking is available at Mayfair Centre and SJ Willis School, a short walking distance to the park.

Please be courteous to other park users during race day and keep off the sports fields.
The park is still open to the public so please be respectful.
KEEP OFF THE SPORTS FIELDS!

Team tents:
Please send scott@trekbikesvictoria.com if you would like a reserved parking spot and area for your team tent. We will be setting up tents similar to last year, a bit closer to the parking area off Spruce St. Your spot will only be reserved until 9:30 am.

Shout outs:
Race sponsors: Shimano Pro and Trek Bikes Victoria
Big thanks to Shimano for stepping up big time to help with prizes, course marking, and making great products!

Directions to Topaz Park
From the Mainland:
• Please check www.bcferries.com for up to date sailing times

From the Swartz Bay ferry terminal
1. Follow the Patricia Bay Hwy/BC‐17 S toward Victoria.
2. Head southwest on Patricia Bay Hwy/BC‐17 S (go 28.3 km)
3. Take left onto Finlayson St (go 260m) and look for parking lot entrance to Topaz Park on your right hand side.
OR
4. Additional parking also available by continuing straight on Finlayson another 250m
5. Turn right onto Quadra St (go 200m)
6. Take the 1st right onto Spruce St and follow for 110m to parking lot.

From Nanaimo / Up-Island (Incl. both mid-island ferries)
1. Follow Island Hwy/BC-19A South (go 106km)
2. Continue to follow Island Hwy onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S (go 6.8km)
3. Turn left onto Finlayson St go 450m head straight through lights at Blanshard and look for parking lot entrance to Topaz Park on your right hand side.
OR
4. Additional parking also available by continuing straight on Finlayson another 250m
5. Turn right onto Quadra St (go 200m)
6. Take the 1st right onto Spruce St and follow for 110m to parking lot.

From Victoria
1. Take Blanshard St/Patricia Bay Hwy/BC‐17 N towards Yates St (go 2.3 km)
2. Turn right onto Finlayson St (go 260m) and look for parking lot entrance to Topaz Park on your right hand side.
OR
3. Additional parking also available by continuing straight on Finlayson another 250m
4. Turn right onto Quadra St (go 200m)
5. Take the 1st right onto Spruce St and follow for 110m to parking lot.

Volunteers needed!!!
We are currently looking for volunteers to help make the event Crosstastic!! Volunteers are key to COTR events and we are keen to get some new people out to help us set up, take down and run these awesome events!!
If you are in Victoria and would like to learn more about volunteering for Victoria based COTR events send me an email at scott@trekbikesvictoria.com I will gladly sign you up for sweet volunteer position.
We need help with:
Course Construction: Sunday Morning prior to the race, 7:30-10:00
Timers: 1 person for every race to help out…so sign up for a race you are not racing in 🙂
Kids Course Official: kids races are at 11:30am and 12:10.
Course Take down: If everyone pitches in it does not take long at all!

Food Truck

Indecent Risotto Food Truck is confirmed for the race. Cash always works best. https://www.facebook.com/IndecentRisotto/

Schedule

Please note that the schedule for this race is STRETCHED a bit more to allow for registration and data input as this is the first race and there will be a LOT of people and new systems in place. Number and chip pick up during the day will be restricted to those with the next event coming up. Ie. if you are an expert or a masters men….don’t try to get your number before the beginners. Even more reason to pick it up the night before at the Trek Bicycle Store, PRO CITY RACING headquarters 338 Catherine St in Victoria on Saturday from 5:30-8:00pm

2. Are you a YOUTH rider and do you want to race for FREE in 2017?

After amazing participation and response last year with their support of youth races. Quadra Island based Study-Build will again be supporting and paying for YOUTH racers (up to 19 year old) for COTR this year.

Here are the requirements:

The racer must participate in 7 or 8 of the eight races this year to qualify for free entries.
For the reimbursement at end of season the racer (NOT the PARENTS) will need to submit a request, (might be a simple google form)
Then we’ll mail them a cheque

While we LOVED the “enthusiasm” of the money mosh pit last year at Saanich. This will be a more reasonable way to do this and take a bit of pressure off the final awards.

3. What you need to get used to doing to race COTR in 2017

Just some fun bullet point information for you all!

• ENCOURAGEMENT for your fellow racers.
• Heckle your friends (if they can take it). Encourage all others ESPECIALLY the kids!
• Bringing your race number to EVERY RACE
• Making sure your Timing chip is on YOUR bike (not your buddies or your girlfriends)
• Making sure your YOUR PIT BIKE timing chip is on the bike you are going to use as a back up.
• Bring your license to EVERY RACE….or bring $10
• Bring money for a freezie to the first race $1
• Pre-register
• Be responsible
• Should not have to say this…..but no smoking at races by racers
• Always wear your helmet when you are on your bike
• If you are too-agro at a race. You get one warning. The second time you are done for the year.
• This is grassroots…..NOT a Euro-World Cup. We are all here to have fun and do some racing.
• You can’t take a random person’s bike if your’s breaks!
• PLEASE…..please….SIGN UP A HEAD OF TIME. It makes it WAY easier for everyone.
• Don’t but the timers when they are timing. It is hard enough.
• Don’t linger at the finish line…..you will mess up the results.
• If you DNF go to the finish line….but leave your bike AWAY from the finish.
• Most importantly…..if you sandbag…..we will call you on it!!

Looking forward to a GREAT COTR 2017!!

4. OTHER CROSS HAPPENINGS ON THE ISLAND

Cross on the Rock is not the only thing happening on Vancouver Island for Cross over the next few months…..there is a LOT going on (at least until the days get too short to make any of this possible)

VICTORIA
In Victoria there is the Cross Club. 7 training “rides”.
Cross Club 2017, Victoria’s Underground Cyclocross Series Returns

Rain we need rain…. regardless it’s Cyclocross Season, so time to sharpen your CX skills!

B’s ride at 5:30pm

A’s at 6:00pm.

Details on locations will be emailed to the registered riders list each week.

Ride #1 and Kickoff is September 13
Ride#2 is September 20
Ride#3 is September 27
Ride#4 is October 4
Ride#5 is October 18
Ride#6 is October 25
Ride#7 is November 1
www.crossclubvictoria.com

COWICHAN VALLEY
First CX practice is a go for this Wednesday (tonight. August 30th) behind Quamichan high school (on Beverley) starting at 6:30pm. See you there – first race is in two weeks!! #crossiscoming”
cowichancx@gmail.com and Cowichan Cyclocross on Facebook

NANAIMO
Wednesday nights at Rock City Cycles. Cross ride starting at 6:00. Will adjust length based on daylight.

Thursday nights starting September 7th. Cross practices hosted by MIVA and run by Carey Mark. Carey3221@gmail.com . 6:00pm at Bowen Park off Wall Street. 5 weeks and re-asses based on light.

COMOX VALLEY
Wednesday Night cross practices. 5:30pm. Location will vary each week in either Cumberland/Courtenay/Comox. FB group for more info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/457383181299940/

ALSO IMPORTANT
Put October 15th on your calendar for the second year of the Cross Fondo hosted and organized by Tripleshot. 40km of backcountry trails. www.Tripleshotcrossfondo.ca Everyone that did this event last year said it was AWESOME!! They will have a table promoting the event at the race this Sunday. Stop by for more information!

5. REGISTRATION.

Remember….we are not “hand holders” at the races or before/after. Take some responsibility for yourself, your information and accuracy in what you are doing.

IF you e-mail us about the race day schedule even though it was on the page that you registered…..and on the web site…..we will not be happy.

If you register in the wrong category. FIX IT. Don’t e-mail us….go in and fix it.

In the meantime we will focus on the million details it takes to put on this race series!!

Here are the registration links.

2017 Series Page – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14156/2017-cross-on-the-rock-series
When you sign up for the first 7 races you get the 8th race for FREE!!

Pro City Cyclocross Grand Prix – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14135/2017-cross-on-the-rock-pro-city-racing-gp
Tugboat Cross – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14137/2017-cross-on-the-rock-tugboat-cross
Coal Cross – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14138/2017-cross-on-the-rock-coal-cross
Kona Kup – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14149/2017-cross-on-the-rock-kona-kup
Cross on the Commons – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14150/2017-cross-on-the-rock-cross-on-the-commons
Day of Thunder – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14151/2017-cross-on-the-rock-day-of-thunder
De Grote Prijs van Fairgrounds – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14152/2017-cross-on-the-rock-de-grove-prijs-van-fairgrounds
Hot Crossed Bunnies – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14154/2017-cross-on-the-rock-hot-crossed-bunnies

We are looking forward to the first COTR race of the season and the series a head.

Check your in-box next week for Newsletter #3 with a Pro-City GP re-cap and a Tugboat preview.

the Council of cross signing off until Sunday (we will still be live on FB though).

The main thing you want to know is what is our MAIN hashtag for the year…..and it is…….#COTR2017 So tag away!!

Welcome to the 2017 season of Cross on the Rock. It is our 11th season for this race series and our 14th year of organizing cyclocross races on Vancouver Island.

FIRST OFF: IF YOU WANT OUT. NOW IS THE TIME. DON’T WANT THE COTR NEWSLETTERS ANYMORE….NO PROBLEM. FIRE ME A NOTE. LIFE CHANGES. WE WON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY. This goes for any time over the next 3 months.

The first COTR newsletter of 2017!!

Are you ready? Is your bike ready? Does not matter you have until November 18th to get it all dialled in and put it all together.

We have a lot of information BUT I have been accused of having the LONGEST e-mails so I will try to restrict it to ONLY 5 things this week. Next week we will fire up the 1st race preview for The Pro City Grand Prix and give you a bit more information.

There has been a lot of cyclocross related action since we last left you at Saanich Fairgrounds last November. Every week I hear a new COTR rumour. On STRAVA I see lots of riders TRAINING HARD and early. We have been jostling the schedule and events around a bit. Earlier this month we hosted the MIVA Mid-Summer Night race at Diver Lake for the 2nd year. It has been a busy “off season”. We can’t wait for the real season to start up.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1. Series Overview.
2. Some of the changes this year.
3. Outlining license requirements.
4. Other cross happenings on the island.
5. Registration.

1. SERIES OVERVIEW.

If you have not been checking the website, or FB page and have been eagerly anticipating this e-mail…..here is the schedule for the year. If you have the promo card on your fridge or in your car already and the dates marked on your calendar. You will want to make a few adjustments to what you have.

2017 Cross on the Rock Race Schedule

2017 Locations:
Race #1. September 10th: Victoria. Topaz Park.
Race #2. September 17th: Ladysmith. Transfer Beach.
Race #3. October 1st: Cumberland. Village Park.
Race #4. October 9th: Nanaimo. Bowen Park.
Race #5. October 22nd: Qualicum Beach. Civic Park.
Race #6. November 4th: Victoria. Western Speedway.
Race #7. November 5th : Central Saanich. Saanich Fairgrounds.
Race #8. November 18th: Nanaimo. Bowen Park.

2017 Events:
Race #1. September 10th: Pro City Cyclocross Grand Prix
Race #2. September 17th: Tugboat Cross
Race #3. October 1st: Coal Cross
Race #4. October 9th: Kona Kup
Race #5. October 22nd: Cross on the Commons
Race #6. November 4th: Day of Thunder
Race #7. November 5th: De Grote Prijs van Fairgrounds
Race #8. November 18th: Hot Crossed Bunnies.

A few things of note:

• 8 races again this year.
• 5 Returning Venues from 2016: Topaz Park. Transfer Beach. Bowen Park. Saanich Fairgrounds. Beban Park.
• 2 Returning Venues from previous years. Western Speedway and Village Park.
• 1 Totally New Venues: Civic Park in Qualicum Beach.
• 3 races in Greater Victoria. 3 races mid island. 2 races up island. Same as 2016
• 5 Sundays. 2 Saturdays. 1 Monday

If you have the 2016 Promo Card or made notes when we published the schedule at the end of 2016 you will note the following changes:

• We are not hosting the Provincial Championships.
• Ladysmith and Cumberland have changed dates.

2. SOME OF THE CHANGES TO COTR THIS YEAR.

We made quite a few changes last year to the series which will carry over into the 2017 season. A couple more things that will change this year:

Continuing with electronic timing.
Last year we started working with chip timing to get overall times and lap splits. There were some bugs to work out but everything progressed in the right direction. For this season we are continuing to develop this. There will be number tags for your bike and cloth numbers for your body issued at your first race of the year with your registration. These will be yours for the season and you are expected and required to bring these to EVERY event you race in. The bike number tag is easy to attach on the seat tube with a zap strap. The race numbers go on your back as usual and you will need to wash them with your race kit after each event.

If you are racing with an extra bike (or using someone else’s bike in the pit) you will NEED to get an extra bike chip for that bike. IF it is someone else’s bike you need to make sure YOUR chip is on that bike when it goes into the pit.

If you lose your bike timing chip or your race number the replacement cost is $5. We want you to hold onto these and be responsible for them.
If you need a second timing chip for your second bike it will be $3 for the race season.

The timing chips and race numbers are YOUR responsibility to manage and take care of!

Registration Fees.
The race registration fees for this year remain the same for 6 of the 8 events. $25 Adult $15 for youth (under 19) for PRE-REGISTRATION.
For Western Speedway and Saanich Fairgrounds the registration fees will be $5 more to cover the larger expense of those two race sites.

If you want to roll the dice. Lose your call up. Check the weather etc. and register on the day of the race it will cost you an additional $10.

Pre-Registration VS. Day of race registration.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS PRETTY MUCH MANDATORY._

Again given the changes with electronic timing and the preparations that are needed for that and to make sure our call up lists are as accurate as possible we need to have time to do this work. Race morning 10 minutes before the start is not the time! So pre-registration is “pretty much” mandatory. By “Pretty Much” we mean if you delay, procrastinate, hedge your bets on weather etc. you can still come and race BUT it will cost you and extra $10 and you will NOT receive a call up. All day of race registrations will be
started at the back. After the people with points and the people without points that pre-registered. We really want people to pre-register.

3. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR COTR THIS YEAR.

Once again the Cross on the Rock’s series is sanctioned and supported by Cycling BC. As always everyone that races a series race needs to have either a UCI license from Cycling BC (or another province). A Cycling BC “iRide” License for local events. OR fill out your 1,000,000 form and purchase yet another day of race license ($10).

Masters cycling. Triathlon BC. ABA. Your library card. None of those count or will help you out.

Here is a link to the Cycling BC page on licenses: https://cyclingbc.net/membership/registration-2017/

What we need to see is:

a) UCI Racing License. A.K.A. a “BC Race License”. This license used to be late season discounted to $99 for the cross season but that is no longer the case. You have to pay full-pop. This will allow you to race any cross
race any place any category any where until the end of the year. This will also allow you to race Elite at Provincials and if you win provincials you will get the provincial champion jersey.

b) A Provincial Ride License. $60. This will allow you to do all our races and is VERY economical. With this license you can also race the Provincial Championships…..but not in Elite….and if you win Provincials you will NOT be crowned the Provincial Champion….even if you are from this province and race here. You can also use this license to race the Cross Club Victoria races or do the cross clinics in Nanaimo and Cowichan.

c) Day of race license. Fill out a form at the event…..yes…..a PAPER form. Pony up $10. Good to go.

As has been for the last 10 year…..EVERYONE needs to have their license WITH them at check in at EVERY COTR race to race. If not you will be required to pay the $10 day of race insurance to participate. No exceptions so don’t even ask.

4. OTHER CROSS HAPPENINGS ON THE ISLAND

Cross on the Rock is not the only thing happening on Vancouver Island for Cross over the next few months…..there is a LOT going on (at least until the days get too short to make any of this possible)

VICTORIA
In Victoria there is the Cross Club. 7 training “rides”.
Cross Club 2017, Victoria’s Underground Cyclocross Series Returns

Rain we need rain…. regardless it’s Cyclocross Season, so time to sharpen your CX skills!

B’s ride at 5:30pm

A’s at 6:00pm.

Details on locations will be emailed to the registered riders list each week.

Ride #1 and Kickoff is September 13
Ride#2 is September 20
Ride#3 is September 27
Ride#4 is October 4
Ride#5 is October 18
Ride#6 is October 25
Ride#7 is November 1
www.crossclubvictoria.com

COWICHAN VALLEY
First CX practice is a go for this Wednesday (tonight. August 30th) behind Quamichan high school (on Beverley) starting at 6:30pm. See you there – first race is in two weeks!! #crossiscoming”
cowichancx@gmail.com and Cowichan Cyclocross on Facebook

NANAIMO
Wednesday nights at Rock City Cycles. Cross ride starting at 6:00. Will adjust length based on daylight.

Thursday nights starting September 7th. Cross practices hosted by MIVA and run by Carey Mark. Carey3221@gmail.com . 6:00pm at Bowen Park off Wall Street. 5 weeks and re-asses based on light.

COMOX VALLEY
Wednesday Night cross practices. 5:30pm. Location will vary each week in either Cumberland/Courtenay/Comox. FB group for more info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/457383181299940/

ALSO IMPORTANT
Put October 15th on your calendar for the second year of the Cross Fondo hosted and organized by Tripleshot. 40km of backcountry trails. www.Tripleshotcrossfondo.ca Everyone that did this event last year said it was AWESOME!!

5. REGISTRATION.

So…..are you ready to get registered?

BEFORE YOU DO…..If you are racing with a TEAM this year. Make sure that EVERYONE is on the same “page” about what the Team name should be and what it is registered as. With the prestige of the team rankings….we had a lot of teams that could have done a lot better if they would just organize their team names (not mentioning any specific ones Broad Street Cycles).

And remember that men’s intermediate and men’s masters categories are limited …..so don’t be disappointed.

Here are the registration links.

2017 Series Page – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14156/2017-cross-on-the-rock-series
When you sign up for the first 7 races you get the 8th race for FREE!!

Pro City Cyclocross Grand Prix – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14135/2017-cross-on-the-rock-pro-city-racing-gp
Tugboat Cross – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14137/2017-cross-on-the-rock-tugboat-cross
Coal Cross – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14138/2017-cross-on-the-rock-coal-cross
Kona Kup – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14149/2017-cross-on-the-rock-kona-kup
Cross on the Commons – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14150/2017-cross-on-the-rock-cross-on-the-commons
Day of Thunder – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14151/2017-cross-on-the-rock-day-of-thunder
De Grote Prijs van Fairgrounds – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14152/2017-cross-on-the-rock-de-grove-prijs-van-fairgrounds
Hot Crossed Bunnies – https://raceroster.com/events/2017/14154/2017-cross-on-the-rock-hot-crossed-bunnies
We are looking forward to the first COTR race of the season and the series a head.

Check your in-box next week for Newsletter #2 with more on the series our awesome sponsors and a preview of the Pro City Grand Prix.

Cross on the Rock

This is the LAST newsletter for 2016. Keep in touch with us through Facebook or just by good old fashion W.O.M. Go for a ride with a COTR buddy and just talk about all the latest COTR news, gossip, rumours and smack talk. Thanks for a great season and we will talk to you in 2017 #COTR2017

We are READY with our post 2016 Survey!! Hit the link. Answer a few questions. Leave me your info and I will put you in for a draw for some SWEET stuff!! Plus you get to shape COTR 2017 and beyond and give us VALUABLE feedback. We would love to get 200+ surveys back. There are 20 questions and it takes most people between 1:30-4:00 to complete. Piece of cake!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5T9QGBR

Christmas is coming!! I have a few COTR 2016 T-Shirts left. Would love to move them to a place or person that would wear and love them. $22. Let me know and I will work on getting it to you.

Some of the last stuff we love of the season

• Edits from Luke Hubner. #2 for the season from the Kona Kup at Bowen Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_cvJYF2X8s and #3 for the season from the series final at Saanich: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmNsyrZXaGE
• Pelle is still in the editing phase of his Series Final Special Edition edit. Keep an eye on our FB page in the future for that one.

Last Chances for CX for 2016

• Kris Cross at the Cowichan Fairgrounds on December 11th . We have looked at this venue for a few years so it will be a good chance to check it out. Registration for this one is on Webscorer with links from OBB and Cycle therapy pages.
• Semiprestige CX Race: Dec 18th Likely the same excellent venue as last year, with fingers firmly crossed for SNOW. Keep an eye on Broad Street Cycles FB page for more information on this one.

In newsletter #16

1. Provincial Championships round up
2. The Naked 2016 Notes
3. Save some dates (now you will know….so don’t e-mail me like you don’t know!!)

1. Provincial Championships round up

Check out the Gallery from Patrick Burnham. Past COTR photo of the year winner….but has been TOO BUSY with timing this season to take any photos. He snapped a few in Squamish to finish the year off: https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/albums/72157677053382296

Results here: http://bcraceresults.wimsey.co/

Write Up here: http://pedalmag.com/bc-cx-2016-championships-full-results-dyck-and-richey-win-elite-titles/

PLEASE NOTE. CBC wrote that article and it was NOT “Richard Machhein” that won the SS Championships….it was our own Halldor Gunnarsson!!

We know you crew LOVE stats. Here is a few for you.

Number of people that raced BC Provincial CX Champs: 257
Percentage from Vancouver Island (or North Sunshine Coast): 63 or 24% of the field was COTR racers.
Number of podium places available at the event: 51
Number of podiums captured by COTR racers: 21
Percentage of podiums captured by the 24 % of the field that are COTR racers: 41%

COTR Racers sweeped the Master’s Men’s 50-59. If you count Andreas Hestler who races 1 COTR race this year we also sweeped the Men’s 40-49. The only categories we did not get a podium spot of the 17 categories were U13Men’s, and Women’s Masters 40-49 and 50-59.

If you look at top 5 we it is even more impressive!

By category here are our COTR podium placers.

Elite Men – Honestly all of the top three might be considered COTR’ers. Craig Ritchey in 1st got his cross start at our races. Kevin Calhoun comes over quite a bit and took 2nd and for CERTAIN we count Nicholas Kupiak who had a beast ride for 3rd.

Elite Women – Mical Dyck 1st and Carey Mark 3rd.
Single Speed – Halldor Gunnarsson 1st place. We can count Mark Karau as well from Stuckylife as he is over here racing enough. 3rd place.
Master Men 60+ – The master of super masters….Derek Steel in 3rd
Master Men 50+ – Ken Olson 1st, Peter Stevenson 2nd and David Opko in 3rd.
Master Men 40+ – Justin Mark 1st, Andreas Hestler 2nd and Normon Thibault 3rd
Master Men 30+ – Andy Pitre in 3rd place.

Master Women 30+ – Denise Mahon 1st place
Junior Men – Ethan Pauly 1st place.
U17 Boys – Carter Woods 1st place
U15 Boys – Griffin Hart 3rd place.
U17 Girls – Sarah Van Dam 1st place and Emilly Johnston 2nd place.
U15 Girls – Isla Walker 3rd place

U13 Girls – Brynn Johnston 2nd place and Sarah Roberts 3rd place

Even better than the results was seeing so many COTR’ers pull together at the race and help each other out. One great community!

2. The Naked 2016 Notes

From the one. The only….SAM WHITTINGHAM!!!!

“Is your old cross machine “done” after all the mud this year?

Bummed you missed out the Naked Frame draw prize?

Can’t wait 18 months for a new naked frame?

Fear not, I will be taking a VERY limited number of orders of Naked X17 machines exclusively for COTR riders,friends and family members. Prices and most options will be as you see at http://nakedbicycles.com/the-bikes/x but delivery will much sooner, in time for COTR17! ”

And for the first time EVER in COTR newsletter….Naked Notes:

“It is an absolute honour to be part of the cross mosh fiesta that is COTR. I can’t believe another season is in the bag. After missing most of the last TWO seasons due to separate “oh my god, not again” injuries, I was thrilled to pack in a full roster of races this time around.

Some Highlights for me:

· All the kids! The future is bright.
· All the kids racing for free. Elle and Dre of Study build making it work.
· The good will of EVERYONE. No jerks allowed.
· Course design. These just keep getting better and better.
· MUD! So much MUD! And still managed to get away with nearly no rain………
· Hayley Dominating her class on my original COTR bike I built 10 years ago as a polo bike.
· No SUPER serious injuries this year that I’m aware of. (Although Dre’s knee was pretty gross)
· Jack’s Hot chocolate, Coffee, Donuts and portable changing tent! So pro.
· Roland. Just. Roland.
· Seeing Phil Schum and Sean Lunny race MASTERS even though I still think they are 17 cuz’ thats the last time I remember racing with them.
· Crashing due to a perfectly executed Norm Heckle.
· Ritchie’s reaction to winning a new frame. So easy when the stoke is this high.
All the Naked Bikes and Jerseys! So much Love. So proud of Mical and Regan, Terry, Hal, Jamie, Dave, Dave, Dre, Elle, Hayley, Katie, James, JP, Beast, Roanne, Geoff, Mandy, Sylvia, Tom, Wade, Andrew, Roy and of course, Ben and Fyn. Who did I miss?”

Cheers!

3. Save some dates (now you will know….so don’t e-mail me like you don’t know!!)

As you know our race season is ALWAYS evolving. BUT we have been working on 2017 for a while now….and we want you to know what we are thinking and how it most likely will shape up.

Here is how it looks:

August.

Season Primer August 9th. Maybe in Victoria or back to Diver Lake.

Race #1: Season opener September 10th at Topaz again (start might depend on survey results). Pre-race day race number and chip pick up at Pro City from 3:00-5:00
Race #2: September 15th…..Comox Valley with the NIGHT pub/taco ride if possible?
Race #3: October 1st: Tugboat at Transfer Beach
Race #4: October 9th: Bowen Park Nanaimo
Race #5: October 22nd: Qualicum Beach.
Race #6 and #7: November 4th and 5th. Double Header in Victoria. Bear Mt, Saanich Fairgrounds, Speedway or another venue. Laritz, JDF,
Race #8 Series final. November 19th or 18th Beban park.

Race #8 MIGHT be Provincial Championships….if that happened then we would finish the COTR season with the double header. There is also a chance the double header might be back in Nanaimo which if that happens then October 9th and the last race of the year would be in Victoria.

That is where we are at for 2017!!

Have a great winter. It has been the best season of COTR to date. A total pleasure being a part of this community.

Signing off.

Normon Thibault