THE DOUBLE HEADER ReCap (4th or 3rd to Last Newsletter of 2016)

This is the stuff we love: “I just wanted to say that today was without a doubt the best race of the season for me. Best course, with lots of gnarly climbs, a bit of technical stuff and lots of fast, flowing greasy sections. Best spectators as well, with people cheering all through the course, and everyone obviously enjoying themselves.”

“Thank you again for an amazing day for the family and all racers, I really appreciate everything you do and I know everyone else is so thankful for all your hard work!”

Mazda – COTR – Newsletter 2016 #13 – Cleaned and prepped by Muc Off.

Double headers are TOUGH. They are tough on bodies, bikes, people, weekends, “free time”, equipment, supplies and resources. Not to mention…VOLUNTEERS! What they are as well are AWESOME!! Spend the whole weekend surrounded by like minded people riding 2 amazing courses over two days in GREAT weather. Thanks to everyone, Racers, Spectators, Sponsors and especially Volunteers that made the Nanaimo double header SO WICKED!!

With 2 races….also comes a BIG Newsletter. Enjoy the read.

The Warm Up
· Before you read anything more in this newsletter check this Video out by Simon Crieghton from Sunday’s Kona Kup if you have not seen it yet. The overhead shots are AMAZING!! https://youtu.be/MXwKPs6nvh4

· If you love stats this one might be interesting to you. My Garmin Fenix 3 records steps. On a typical shop work day (without a run) I am between 9,000-11,000 steps. On a day when I am not at the shop (and don’t run) like yesterday after the race I was a low 7800 steps. On COTR race days….Saturday was 19,297 steps and Sunday was 20,332. Double a normal day. On the mid summer’s night race day I hit 29,000 for the day.

· Special thanks to Harris Mazda supplying an additional Mazda CX-5 for display at the start line.

· Sean Voight from Mazda sent us a link to his photos. Mostly unedited: https://goo.gl/photos/PHLxCRjfupJaJUnR8

· Reminder. Your race number from the weekend (if you were here) is your race number for the last race BUT you still have to 1) REGISTER and 2) SIGN in to get your timing chip. People were showing up to the start line on Sunday with no timing chip as they thought they were just good to go without signing in….etc……NOT the case!!

· Along with timing Patrick Burnham had the camera out a bit this weekend. Check it. From Patrick: “I was able to get some shots at the races this weekend. And Mike took my camera for a walk at Hot Cross Bunnies.” They’re up at www.Flickr.com/palleus There’s also some from farmer bills up there.

COTR Segments
· T-Shirt Inventory after the weekend stands at: Kids: 1 Size 6 and 1 Size 8. Women’s: 2 Small, 2 Medium, 1 Large. Men’s: 4 Small, 19 Medium, 16 Large. LAST chance to get your COTR 2016 shirts will be at the Series Final.

· Lost and Found…..um……I need another box or a bigger one. Ended up with 2 sets of wheels…..one guy came back for his JUST in time before I left. Saturday we had Nick Kupiak’s bike that he left behind. Last chance to claim your stuff will be at the Series Final.

· Some first time podium placers over the weekend. A BIG SHOUT OUT to: Matthew Evans, Lucy Schick, Lauren Marshall, Eva Leikermsoer, Megan Racher and Curtis Sclossberger who made it to the podium for the first time on Saturday at Hot Crossed Bunnies. Also to Evan Soucy and Josie Welbourn for their first podiums at the Kona Kup. Josie again for her first win along with Aedan Crocker, Tony Waklin, Barry Beck and Felix Burke for making it to the top step of a COTR race over the weekend. And Breckin Nowack for his first Intermediate podium. Awesome competition!

Warm Down

WE LOVE GOALS so were pumped that 529 Garage registered 142 bikes over the double header weekend. Thanks to everyone that took the time to get their bikes registered. Bike theft SUCKS and anything we can do to help get a stolen bike back or prevent a theft the better. You can still register you bikes at their site. Also if you registered one of your N+1 bikes over the weekend but still have your, Road, Fat, DH, XC, Commuter, Trainer, Winter, Fondo, Gravel, E, Old-CX, or cruiser at home you can still add it into your profile. Anything we can do to slow down or stop theft.
More information at https://project529.com/garage/organizations/nanaimorcmp/landing

Congratulations to LONG time COTR racer and MIVA club member, Dave Morris http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=Dave+Morris for winning the KONA Private Jake at the Kona Kup.

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In newsletter #13

1. Saturday-Hot Crossed Bunnies. BEBAN PARK. Re-Cap

2. Saturday Night-Social at White Sails. Short Re-Cap

3. Sunday-Kona Kup. BOWEN PARK. Re-Cap

4. Mini-Interviews

5. Looking ahead to the LAST COTR race of the Season. Saanich Fairgrounds.

1. Saturday-Hot Crossed Bunnies. Beban Park. Re-Cap

From Ron Hewitson MIVA Race Director

Thanks to:
1. The weather Gods for raining at the appropriate time and being nice when it was convenient for us.

2. Everyone from MIVA who came out and supported the club by serving the greater cycling community. Special mention to Patrick Burnham who bravely fought through his illness and helped with Friday set-up AND timing on Saturday. What a champ! Chris Cameron for stepping in as Medical Director and as Course Marshall. Phil, President Mike for rallying the troops, Hilary, Kyomi and Lori for working both registration and timing. If something needed to get done, people jumped in without asking. That means a lot.

3. Norm. For being such a great mentor. There are so many details putting on a race and when you only do this once a year, notes help but they only can take you so far . Thanks for being so patient.

4. Loved the turnout! Loved the course too, super fun with the sandy sections.

5. Pacific Mazda & Harris Mazda for series sponsorship.

Norm adding in here. If you missed the photo of Janna Gillick’s sweet home made number pouches…..designed perfectly to carry your new race number and a bunch of safety pins I am re-posting it here. These were super sweet with each one having a different internal lining. Mine has skulls….so …..you know….I love it! Thanks VERY much to Janna for taking her time to make these for all the podium finishers at COTR #6.

2. Saturday Night-Social at White Sails. Short Re-Cap

After a long muddy day at Hot Crossed Bunnies what better way to unwind then with a freshly brewed beer from White Sails Brewpub! Saturday night brought a relaxing social sponsored by Mid Island Velo Association, Rock City Cycles and White Sail Brewpub. Free beer flowed for most of the evening as racers, volunteers and organizers reviewed the days’ events and prepared for the day ahead all while enjoying a giant fireplace and good company. There must be something in the beer at White Sails because at least one racer, Bill McMillian, had the strength to jump from 14th the first day of racing to crack the top ten the next! Just saying you might want to rethink your recovery drink! Thanks to all who came out and the fine staff at White Sails.

Corey
Rock City Cycles

3. Sunday-Kona Kup. BOWEN PARK

I would like to thank the City of Nanaimo for their continued support of Cyclocross Racing in Nanaimo and Cross on the Rock and Norm Thibault for another great season of racing!

This years’ Rock City Cycles Kona Kup was the smoothest to date, thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors.
We had an amazing team for set up which makes a huge difference since we can’t set up the night before, Thank you Paul, Shep, Derek, Del, Mitch, Dale, Brandi, Sean, and Doug.

Brandi and Del also did double duty and along with Helen and Lisa made registration seamless, thank you!

This is the first year I didn’t have to do timing at the Kona Kup, thanks to Patrick, Hilary, Lisa and Mitch!

Colin Ferguson for attending to Medical.

Thanks to Dik Cox (the Legend) at Kona for the stepping up again with a Private Jake and many other prizes to give away!

Special thanks to Pete Creighton for not just sponsoring though Muc-off and Cycles Lambert for category prizes but for coming out and spending the whole day pressure washing bikes!! Also thank you to Simon Creighton for his video work!

Thank you to Steve Pukesh from Live to Play for the draw prizes prizes.

Thank you to Andrea from AJ’s food truck for feeding the starving racers.

I love seeing the racers faces when they finish their pre ride and they have a giant smile, I’m kinda biased but I think the Bowen course is one of my favorites. It’s a technical course that makes great use of natural terrain. The interesting stat is that this year we had almost no DNF’s, (Ranked #2) making it one of the “Tamest Races” yet it still holds record for “Hardest Races” with 3 of the top ten positions!! I guess Cross on the Rockers are just getting tougher!!

Thanks to all who came out and raced, cheered or heckled, see you next year!!

Corey

Rock City Cycles

4. Mini-Interviews

You know we love a good mini-interview and we hope you do too. With the Kona Kup at Bowen park having an earned reputation of being one VERY TOUGH course we asked 4 questions to 4 riders that DNF’ed the last time a race was held at Bowen park in 2014 what the difference was this year.

The 4 Questions.
1. The Kona Kup has a reputation for being one of the toughest courses in BC. In 2014 you DNF’ed this race. Bowen Park has 3 of the top 10 (out of 70+ races) ranks in the DNF stats list. Yet this past Sunday, on day 2 of a double header it scored the easiest/least DNF’s since 2010. The stats rank it as #2 tamest races of ALL TIME. What was the difference this time?

2. What do you prefer. The MUD of Saturday or the vertical of Sunday?

3. What tires did you run on Saturday/Sunday.

4. Any changes this past Sunday that helped you finish the Kona Kup this year?

Rider: Roland Rabien. Pro Kitty Racing. http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=Roland+Rabien

1. I think people have become aware of the ‘Least Reliable’ list and how easy it is to get on that list and hard it is to get off. People don’t quit anymore, unless they physically can’t continue. Series and team standings are motivators too, can’t quit, need to get every possible point.

2. I’ll take mud over hills, 5 years ago it would have been the opposite.

3. My bike is in the shop so I can’t go look, but I’m pretty sure they are Kenda Kwickers set up tubeless. Same tires both days, probably a little less pressure Sunday because I forgot to check.

4. I slowed down. About 20 places behind where I usually am, but at least I left in one piece.

Rider: Emily Johnston. Trail Bikes. http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=Emilly+Johnston

1. I really can’t say for sure. For me it was that this time I’d learned what a hard
course it was from past experiences. I reigned it in just a tad more on the
descents so that I would be able to ride a clean race and finish with a smile on
my face.(Not that I wasn’t smiling last time:) )

2. Both courses were fantastic. Some of my fave’s of this year, but I would have to
say that the vertical of Sunday was more fun for me. I loved the fact that there
were some tricky tech section throughout the course as well as the climbs that
made the course just that much more challenging.

3. The Bontragers that came with my bike???? (I don’t know what they are)

4. I really had a great experience trying to stay on Carey and Janna’s wheel. It was
awesome to learn new techniques during the race by means of watching what
they were doing and figuring out what I could do to hold on for just that little bit
longer. I realized that the power that I had been putting out of the corners wasn’t
really all the power I had, watching them showed me that in order to keep up I
needed to not only go as fast as I could on the flats and the hills but that I needed
to do the same in the corners.

Rider: Nicholas Kupiak. Broad Street Cycles. http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=Nicholas+Kupiak

1. Unfortunately I am part of that DNF statistic from the last time Bowen Park was used and the only difference I really noticed was the weather. When it’s directly raining on that course while we’re racing it just makes everything a little bit harder as the grass turns to true mud and the sand doesn’t hold up like it did this year. More mud and more sand getting thrown around always equates to more mechanicals with grit finding its way into the gears on the ascents and the brakes on the descents.

2. Usually I prefer the muck and mud but I just can’t deny how incredibly fast and flowy Sunday was. Even on a day where it didn’t feel like the fitness was there for me, Bowen was just a fun course to let the bike go and find the limits of your handling whether it was on the descents, through the trees, or rallying the sand.

3. I was running the tubeless version 700×33 Specialized Terra Pros. They proved themselves well in the mud at last years Topaz Park race and have been my preferred tire since. Expecting more rain and mud on Sunday I ran the same setup, but if I had the opportunity to switch I think Bowen was the perfect course for something more like the Specialized Tracer Pro.

Rider: Roanne English. Naked Factory Racing. http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=roanne+english

1. The Kona Kup is definitely a tough course! I crashed pretty badly in 2014 when my breaks stopped working a few laps into the race. Not only does the course have a lot of climbing, but it also has a lot of descending and some of those descents were pretty scary for me when I was first racing. I think this year having more experience and my Naked bike with disc breaks made me much more confident; some guy yelling at me on a loud speaker didn’t hurt either…

2. I’m still a bit too chicken to fully take advantage of the vertical on Sunday’s course, and besides playing in the mud is my favourite thing about cyclocross so Saturday wins the weekend in my books.

3. My tires for both days were 35mm Kenda Kwicker cross tires. They are the set that Sam put on my bike last year and I’ve never considered changing them.

4. I didn’t make any changes for Sunday. I really could have used some more legs but I think those got left in the mud somewhere after Saturday’s race…

5. Looking ahead to the LAST COTR race of the Season. Saanich Fairgrounds.

We will fire a FULL Pre-Race Newsletter in your in-Box NEXT week with ALL the important details you will need to know.

In the meantime clean your number and put it someplace safe and do these 5 things:

1) Check out your series standings: http://www.crossontherock.com//php/series-results/?series=2016 Take your note pad and add up your top 6 spots so far. Do some calculations. Double points at the last race…..so who do you have to beat and by how much?

2) Check out your team standings: http://www.crossontherock.com//php/team-standings/?series=2016

3) Register for the race: https://raceroster.com/events/2016/10092/2016-cross-on-the-rock-series-championships

4) Watch this edit again:

5) And register all your bikes that were not registered over the weekend before someone rips them off: https://project529.com/garage/organizations/nanaimorcmp/landing

Oh yeah….and get a bit of recovery in BEFORE you fire up your last block of training. Time to PEAK!

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Finn http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=Finn+Lounsbury getting it done at Hot Crossed Bunnies.
Finn http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=Finn+Lounsbury getting it done at Hot Crossed Bunnies.

Mazda – COTR – Newsletter 2016 #12 – Cleaned and prepped by Muc Off.

There is a LOT of information to fire out for the Double Header so we are not going to brake a chain at the start here and stall out. Only a few little segments this week.

ONE THING TO REMEMBER: THERE IS A TIME CHANGE SATURDAY NIGHT! 1 hour extra sleep. Do NOT show up early Sunday. Take the SLEEP!!

COTR Segments

· With the price of airfare to Quebec $400+ more than flying to Japan it is no wonder that there is only one (that we know about) COTR racer making the trip to Nationals this weekend. The best of luck to defending Champ and Naked Factory rider, Mical Dyck, this weekend.

Register your Bike!
We have a GOAL to register 100+ bikes over the 2 days of racing in Nanaimo with 529 Garage.

529 Garage is a smartphone app the allows cyclists to register their bikes for free. Owners can add serial numbers, photos and descriptions of their bike and in the event their bike is stolen, they are able to instantly sent out an alert to the 529 community for everyone to be on the lookout for the stolen bike. RCMP volunteers will be registering bikes and providing a 529 shield to cyclists participating in the Cross on the Rock races at Beban and Bowen Park this weekend. Registration stations will run from 9:30 am to 2 pm both days. More information at https://project529.com/garage/organizations/nanaimorcmp/landing

In newsletter #12

1. Saturday-Hot Crossed Bunnies. BEBAN PARK

2. Saturday Night-Social at White Sails

3. Sunday-Kona Kup. BOWEN PARK

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1. Saturday-Hot Crossed Bunnies. Beban Park

Beban park is the site of the first ever cross race on the Island outside of Victoria when we put on a Worlds prep. race 10 January of 2004 won by Robin Dutton. That year the lap times were close to 14 minutes and the rad course was around 4.5km. Later in 2004 it hosted the first official and sanctioned race on the island won by Andrew Pinfold. In 2006 we hosted the Canadian Cyclocross National Championships. The biggest National Championships and biggest race in Canada up to that point. Beban park has been used every year since 2004 except for 2014 to host a race.

Parking and Tents
: There is a LOT of parking at Beban park. Where we do NOT want you to park is in the close to (south of) the soccer fields or close to the main barn near the start of the race course. You can park beside the swim pool. You can also park beside the golf course.

The tent set up area will be the same as last year – across from the registration Barn and along the start section of the course. You can park BEHIND your tents in that area but be aware the gate will be locked once the first race begins so as to prevent traffic movement while the races are in progress. Again….once the races start and until they finish the GATE WILL BE CLOSED, LOCKED and unless there is a medical emergency we will NOT KNOW where the key is so don’t ask.

Registration – do this online but pick up your race numbers at the red barn. Same as last year. https://raceroster.com/events/2016/10090/2016-cross-on-the-rock-hot-cross-bunnies and while you’re at it register for Sunday too http://www.crossontherock.com//races/kona-kup/

Race Course: Things are coming together for Saturday’s race. Both the weather and the course will be similar to last year’s event but with a few notable changes. Because of the rain we are not using the BMX pump track. Last year there was quite a bit of damage caused by those skinny tires and we need work with all the user groups in the venue and respect their wishes. The BMX track is being expanded and some trees have recently been felled between the BMX and the off leash dog run areas which leads to some interesting new lines in there. Expect MIVA to use all of the available barriers and every ounce of terrain to ramp up technical aspect. Think flowy, fast and FUN!

Food: The folks from Superstore will be on hand to BBQ up some tasty burgers by donation (suggested $5) with profits going to Xmas Hampers via Haven House. Thanks to Patrick Burnham for arranging that. MIVA will be donating $250 to the volunteers to help cover the food costs so please help to support this worthwhile cause.

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Bottle Drive: The Haven House volunteers will also be collecting empties so please bring your summer supply of empty bottles and drop them off at the Superstore BBQ tent. Thanks

Vollies: For course setup we are meeting a 4:30PM on Friday at the Beban Barn where race registration is. It should take 1.5 hours, so done by 6PM but we still need a few more volunteers for setup and take down. So far we have 14 but could use another 10. Please email me at hewitsonron@gmail.com Thanks so far to Ken Olson, BILL MCMILLAN!!, Chris Cameron, Monty, Man-o-Steel, Phil Birrer, Frederick Robinson, Miva Mike McCarney, Patrick, Shep, Paul, Kyomi, and Brad. Menno.

Prizing: You’re gonna like this. Janna Gillick and Wendy Simms have created some homespun madness that is going to be the talk of the town. That’s all I’m allowed to say but you are going to totally dig it. (Norm’s Note. We saw these last night for the first time….super sweet. Keep an eye on FB page as we might be posting some photos). Growlers too with our Bunny Race branded growler bottles and a little sumpin-sumpin for the kids race compliments of Norm.

2. Saturday Night-Social at White Sails

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3. Sunday-Kona Kup. BOWEN PARK

WIN A KONA PRIVATE JAKE!! The Odds are AMAZING!!

ONE THING TO REMEMBER: THERE IS A TIME CHANGE SATURDAY NIGHT! 1 hour extra sleep. Do NOT show up early Sunday. Take the SLEEP!!

The Course: Bowen Park has been the home for the Kona Kup since 2009 with the exception of 2015 where it was moved to Beban. . It’s a love it or hate it course. Some good elevation gain each lap. Being that it wasn’t used last year the course won’t differ too much from previous years. Killer stair section and long sand section to test the legs. This course has the distinction of holding the #1 spot for COTR toughest courses as well as 4th and 10th. Pro Tip: Save something in your legs from Saturday!

Parking: There is some on-going construction in the area and they have been using the lower parking lot as staging so we may or may not have the full parking lot. Not to worry. There is a LOT of parking in Bowen park and it is all very close to the main area. Once the lower lot fills up there is the upper lot close to the tennis courts as well as the upper-upper lot by the swimming pool and lawn bowling.

Tents: will be in the lower volleyball parking lot along the finish stretch as they have been in previous years unless updated tomorrow (via FB)

Washrooms: One set up in the community building by the swimming pool and lawn bowling (please do not wear your dirty shoes in there. Another set right by the start of the race course.

Bike washing: Peter the Legend from Cycles Lambert will be there to power wash your bike on Sunday. Bring him a beer or something to keep his energy and spirits high.

Registration: Closes Saturday night at 8pm. https://raceroster.com/events/2016/10091/2016-cross-on-the-rock-kona-kup

Timing Band and number pick up (If you did not race the day before. Numbers are the same for the rest of the race season)
: Under the Rock City tents in the parking lot.

Food: AJ’s food truck will be on site. They will be there early enough for people to grab a breakfast sandwich and coffee before they start their lunch menu. They have debit as well.

Volunteers: Set up will start at 7:30 Sunday morning and we will need volunteers throughout the day for course maintenance, timing, registration etc. Please email: Rockcitycyclesnanaimo@gmail.com if you can help.

Prizing: We have some great prizes from Kona Bikes including a Private Jake cyclocross bike. Also prizes from Cycles Lambert.

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Mazda – COTR – Newsletter 2016 #11 – Cleaned and prepped by Muc Off.

The Warm up.
· Does anyone have a pair of Winter weight bib tights from Top of the Rock cross at Mt. Washington? Mark Grant is missing a pair and would LOVE to get those back.

· Speaking of Lost and Found items. We are starting to ACCUMULATE a lot of things in the box. So much so that I have to get a bigger box. I will take a photo and make a list for the next newsletter if I can. In the meantime if you are missing something let me know.

· In the same theme…..are you missing your helmet from Farmer Bills? IF it is/was a white GIRO…..and you don’t have it. Roland does.

COTR Segments

· If you are a fan of the Mazda Zoom Zoom Half Track races and you have a Zoom Zoom’er racing you will be happy to know that we have caught up on the results for those races. We know how much the kids kid seeing their names on the web site. Here is the link: http://www.crossontherock.com//results/2016-results/

· While looking over lap splits for the “Hot Laps” feature below I was impressed by Peter Stevenson ripping it up in Expert as the oldest racer there (50) and Ethan Pauley for being the youngest (16). Pretty awesome to see such a wide range of ages being so competitive at the highest level of COTR!

· Photos from Sean Voight at Pacific Mazda. A LOT of Photos: https://goo.gl/photos/GGuER49kUtuJCeyz7

Bonus:
· If you were watching the UCI world Road Racing Championships the weekend before last and happened to watch the Junior Women’s race you might have caught this impressive save: https://youtu.be/yuMZzB5NTBk by one Canadian rider. Listen to the announcer. She probably would never know that Erin is one of us! http://www.crossontherock.com//php/racer/?racername=Erin+Attwell One of 2 COTR racers at World Road race championships with Adam de Vos. Both products of the Triple Shot youth cycling program.

· If you are looking for some inspiration for on the trainer or while doing your core work this week. Check out the CX World Cup races from Valkenburg (NED) this past weekend. Men’s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbC6U8MKnAs and Women’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRd2Eidr3-g

In newsletter #11

1. Cleaning up from Farmer Bills. Cattle X-ing. Thompson Farm. Port Alberni.

2. Hot Laps

3. COTR 2016 Hats. Inventory

4. The DOUBLE HEADER approaches

1. Cleaning up from Farmer Bills. Cattle X-ing. Thompson Farm. Port Alberni.

It takes a LOT of work to put on a COTR race. A LOT of work!!

Famer Bill’s master race director, Lee Blais, would like to give a giant thanks to the following :

– Farmer Bill Thompson and son Billy.
-Dennis Jonnson and the Sproat lake fire department. (for first aid AS WELL as setting up an extra power washer!!)
– The many tireless volunteers that jump at a moments notice..xoxoxox
-Micheal (the Bull) Parcher.
– Charles Thomas
– Orange sport supply
-Totally Board Surf Company
– Lime ‘N food truck
– The racers… you came and braved the course. Thank you!!

Race day highlights:

– A very satisfyingly long embrace from Normon.
– Farmer Billy promising to race next year (which means we’ll be on the schedule 2017!! Yessssss) (Norm’s note…schedule has not be determined for 2017)
– Charles Thomas racing his custom drop bar run bike. Have a look for a photo of this.
– Deep fried pickles
– Donuts
– Sunshine
– Mud!!!!!

Norm’s Notes

It was great to be back in Port Alberni racing COTR again this last Sunday.

Furthest Westerly race in North America!?!?

247 Racers

96% finishers

Great Numbers.

BIGGEST bike race in Port Alberni’s History I heard. That would have to be confirmed as I remember a Stage Road Race in the mid 90’s that had a LOT of riders. TT, Crit.

Would 247 beat BCBR year 2?

Regardless it was about 34% bigger than last time we raced with almost the exact same finish percentage.

Huge thanks to everyone that came out. It is a bit of an adventure getting there so we hope we make it worth your while.

2. Hot Laps

You know how much we LOVE stats and numbers! (http://www.crossontherock.com//results/statistics/)

With that in mind we went through the Lap Sheets from Farmer Bills to check out each categories FASTEST LAP and when that fast lap happened. This is what we found out.

Beginners
Nicholas Knight was the winner for the beginner men and he also recorded the fastest lap on his last of 3 laps with a 9:34
In the women’s beginner Olivia Gribbon won and also had the fastest lap 11:39…..on her 2/2 laps….kind of a default as we did not count the opening lap and Olivia’s category only did 2 laps.

Intermediate
This year’s female speedster, Haley Lounsbury, won the women’s race against the biggest women’s field of the day. Her fastest lap was a 11:06 on the 2nd of 3 laps around the farm.
Carter Woods did not win the Intermediate category BUT he did record the fastest lap with a 8:54 on his 2nd of 4 laps.

Masters Men
Pro City Racing’s, Sean Cruickshank, rocked the fastest lap of the 45 racers on his 2nd of 5 laps with a 8:44. He ended up finishing 2nd of the 45 racers in the 40-54 race.
Undefeated Bill McMillan knocked off a 9:24 on his way to first during his 3rd of 4 laps.

Expert
The 2nd undefeated rider of the season, Carey Mark, laid down her quickest lap on the 2nd of 4 laps. Fastest of the Expert women….but only the 2nd fastest women of the day with Mical Dyck taking that title with a 9:07 while racing the boys in Expert.
And the FASTEST of the Hot Laps for the day was Drew MacKenzie on his way to his 11th win and moving him up to 5th place for all time number of COTR wins. He had a 8:08 on his 2nd of 7 laps with the competitive Expert field in Port Alberni.

3. COTR 2016 Hats. Inventory.

Sew what I Sew in Cumberland did an extra batch of the 2 styles we sold out of. So have 7 more of the Green and 8 of the Grey. $28 if you have exact change. $30 if you don’t! This will be the last batch of hats for 2016. We will have them at the Double Header and expect they will pretty much be gone after that. First come.

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4. The DOUBLE HEADER approaches

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On the November 5th and 6th weekend.
2 races
2 days
2 course
3 events
300+ racers
2 sets of points available
‘Lil Nutcase
Zoom Zoom Half Track

Limited registration……like normal……so DO NOT MISS OUT!!

https://raceroster.com/events/2016/10090/2016-cross-on-the-rock-hot-cross-bunnies
https://raceroster.com/events/2016/10091/2016-cross-on-the-rock-kona-kup

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Parting Shot from Patrick Burnham who has been normally too busy behind the timing set up to pick up his camera this year. He made an exception at Farmer Bills.

Finish of the Masters Men’s 40-54. Totally spent.
Finish of the Masters Men’s 40-54. Totally spent.

FARMER BILLS RETURNS THIS SUNDAY!

Mazda – COTR – Newsletter 2016 #10 – Cleaned and prepped by Muc Off.

The Warm up.

  • Heard in the school yard this morning during drop off.  “Yesterday I got Rock City Cycles to convert my Private Jake to a single speed.  This morning I woke up with a full beard”.
  • Word over my e-mail is of a new cx event in the Cowichan Valley.  Night race on December 9th and a day time race on the 10th.  My vacation time is already booked so I will not be in attendance…..but it does not mean you can’t enjoy it.  Also around this same time is normally the Semi-Prestige race which we will keep you posted on.

COTR Segments

Bonus:

A few more Questions from us and answers from Drew MacKenzie about Bear X-Ing this year.  COTR #4.  This stuff was after deadline for Newsletter #9

What did you like?

People’s general excitement for racing cross. I loved the cheering going on near the finish line steep drop in and through tent alley. It was pretty fun to watch people who didn’t think they could do it ride the steep drop in for the first time. Also pretty scary to watch some folks doing it during the race. Hearing from the adults that the race course was too hard and at the same time getting guff from a 7 year old that the kids course was too easy!

Who looked good out there?

Everyone! Pandering aside, Felix Burke was looking pretty good out there, same with Parker Bloom. Mical was looking like she had been out for a run recently ; )

How did you like racing the course……

Course was good to race, more elevation changes and rougher terrain was fun. But even with modifications it was maybe still not selective enough.  Need to make it harder next year! Bring on the mud!

In newsletter #9

  1. Farmer Bills. Cattle X-ing.  Thompson Farm.  Port Alberni.  This Sunday.
  2. Interview with Lee Blais
  3. COTR 2016 Hats.  Re-Ordered
  4. Triple Shot Cross Fondo. Look Back.
  1. Farmer Bills. Cattle X-ing.  Thompson Farm.  Port Alberni.  This Sunday.

 

Pre-registration has become (Almost 100%) Mandatory so make sure you register by 8pm on Saturday the 22nd or before.  Here is the link:  https://raceroster.com/events/2016/10089/2016-cross-on-the-rock-farmer-bills-cattle-xing

 It’s time to spend a day at the farm! We are back at Farmer Bill’s so get out your tractor tires, safety goggles and lube yourselves up so the cow poo don’t stick – YEEHAW! This 3.2 km course is filled with deep, bumpy wet grass, piles of bear ‘apple sauce’, twists, turns, off-camber descents, a haunted barn roll through, electric fences and possible run ins with lonely bulls!

The Lime’n food truck will be serving up deep fried pickles and their famous jerk chicken… and of course we’ll have Normon’s favorite donuts to tempt you at check-in. You will need the extra calories to plow through this course

LOCATION:

The Thompson family have lived and run this Beautiful farm including McCoy lake for over a century. Farmer Bill’s is Located on Highway 4 across from the Tseshaht market 10km out of Alberni on your way to Tofino.  Bathrooms on site. Some parking on site and more across the street. Let’s keep it clean and be respectful of this families property.  PLEASE be careful crossing the road.  It is a HIGHWAY!

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  1. Interview with Lee Blais
  1. Lee.  You started doing COTR in 2006 when you did 3 events (out of 4 at the time).  In 2007, 2008 and 2009 you only did 1 race a year.  Since then you have done 40 races in the last 6 years….almost all of the races.  What hooked you in?

What hooked me in??? the ridiculousness of the sport!! tiny tires, tasting blood..the strategy and all out battles in the corners… and I decided to work on my fitness a bit which made it more fun.

  1. Having done your first COTR race in 2006 and still racing in 2016.  What have you seen as being the biggest change at the events?

The biggest change as of late has been the huge spike in attendance of course.. way more female competitors and youth. It’s brought the island cycling community together.

  1. This will be the 4th time we will be racing at Farmer Bills.  What can we expect to be the same and what different on Sunday?

4th? (Norm’s Note: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016) was sure it was on the 3rd time we’ve raced farmer Bill’s. Of course we’re racing through the barn and yes, there will be mud..lots of mud. There will be more opportunity to pass this year if you have    the power. We’ve also added some new singletrack through a treed section.

  1. What gear do you normally run and what gear will you be running on Sunday?

I normally run 38-18 gearing for the most races.. 2 teeth easier for farmer Bill’s, maybe 3? we’ll see how the course shapes up for the masters.

  1. When will you get a rear derailleur?

Rear derailleur? Ummm, another 6 years maybe?.. probably not though.

  1. When will you get real brakes?

Paul mini moto’s aren’t real? they don’t always stop well.

  1. Historically who has been your biggest nemesis?

Fluffy!! Dave Damery, Joel Lutz,.. Ken Olson, Dave Novak. (Norm’s note: and Dan Clements)

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  1. COTR 2016 Hats.  More Coming.

Our COTR 2016 Hats made up by Sew What I Sew in Cumberland have been a HOT item.  We sold out of 2 styles so far because they are sweet.  We should have more of the Green and Grey for Farmer Bills this weekend.  $28 if you have exact change.  $30 if you don’t!  First come.

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  1. No COTR race this weekend…..but there is the Tripleshot Crossfondo 2016

Uncharted Territory. Big Grins. As Promised.

Tripleshot Youth Team says thanks to everyone who rode, supported, cheered and volunteered at the 2016 Tripleshot Cross Fondo. Dubbed #typhooncross the day before, the storm didn’t materialize but there was enough rain to make it a true cross event. 120 riders (40K 97, 20K, 23) from 11-70 years old finished with mud-splattered grins, with Clayton Hiltz and Katie Button claiming the 40K and Kurt Innes and Heather Ranson the 20K.  Lots of great comments were heard over beer and burgers, “very cool to link up some new trails”, “Tripleshot kids washing my bike made me feel like a pro”, and from Lynne Holt, “one of my favourite moments during the ride was waiting for sheep to cross the trail.”

 

Full results at www.tripleshotcrossfondo.ca and

Great photos by Vincent Whiteveen at https://www.facebook.com/events/1162800 … 120433735/

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Parting Shot.  One of the more controversial moves EVER in the history of COTR.  Tom Skinner.
Parting Shot. One of the more controversial moves EVER in the history of COTR. Tom Skinner.

Mazda – COTR – Newsletter 2016 #9 – Cleaned and prepped by Muc Off. Wrapping up Bear X-Ing.

The Warm up.

From Sean Voight at Pacific Mazda.
I will post photos and video on Facebook tomorrow

Bear Mountain was a blast great venue and track Perfect day

(GREAT little Video….check it out) https://goo.gl/photos/5qiMrMrRuyXKkR6H8

COTR Segments
· The Hose at Bear X-ing….wow! That thing was a full on fire hose? #checkyourBBbearings

· Front page of the Times Colonist and the sports section on the SAME DAY and on Victoria Marathon weekend! So awesome!

· Congratulations to Eva Leikermoser (Trail Bicycles) for her first category win in Beginner Women.

· Congratulations to Phil Schum (KPH) for his first COTR win in Men’s Intermediate.

· Steph Roorda’s 2nd COTR race…..the last one was in 2006 at Cowboy Cross (http://www.crossontherock.com//php/race-results/?raceid=3) and she rocked at 2nd place in Expert Women

· Katie Button taking the 3rd spot in the Expert Women’s category in her 2nd COTR race.

· Young Felix Burke (Broad Street Cycles) taking his first expert podium spot (2nd). Felix almost had the win when he laid down the fastest lap of the day on lap 8/10 with a 6:51 but he suffered an untimely puncture on the last lap that let Parker Bloom slip by him.

Also
· Have you checked out the lap sheets with splits? A LOT better capture rate at this event with fewer errors. Still not 100% but the racers are getting the notes and adjusting their wrist bands, clearing the finish line and generally we are doing things a bit better….please keep it up!

· Seeing a few “independent” riders swapping teams at Bear X-ing to give more potential points in the team competition. Looks like it is getting competitive!! Victoria Wheelers are still a head. Check the standings here: http://www.crossontherock.com//php/team-standings/?series=2016

· Just passing the Half Way point in the series with 4 of 8 events down. How is your category shaking up for points? How are your epic battle stats? Can you catch that guy in front of you? Will the guy behind you catch you? Check it: http://www.crossontherock.com//php/series-results/?series=2016

· Still LOTs of racing left. 1 “regular” race. 1 Double header. Then finishing up with the series final and double points!!

Next Event: Farmer Bills. October 23, 2016. Port Alberni.
There will be a full preview on this event in COTR Newsletter 2016 #10 next week but just a little info here. Last year in our end-of-year survey one of the most frequent comments was, “Bring back Farmer Bills”. COTR’ers LOVE this venue and this course. And of course we are almost always guaranteed MUD. Lee from Ozzies Cycles in Port Alberni has already been out to the farm and has been tweaking the course. I personally can’t wait.

Pre-registration has become (Almost 100%) Mandatory so make sure you register by 8pm on Saturday the 22nd or before. Here is the link: https://raceroster.com/events/2016/10089/2016-cross-on-the-rock-farmer-bills-cattle-xing

In newsletter #9

1. The rising tide. Tires.
2. Bear X-Ing Wrap Up.
3. COTR 2016 Hats. Limited Quanity.
4. No COTR race this weekend…..but there is the Tripleshot Crossfondo 2016

1. The Rising Tide. Tires.

Here are COTR we have a competitive little grassroots series going on. The main goal was and remains for everyone to improve. Does not matter if you are trying to improve your results, placing, performance, skill, competitiveness or just beat your buddy. We all want to improve. We want you to improve.

With that though we reached out to our 8 category winners from Bear X-ing and asked them about one of the most important aspects of your bike; their tires. This is your main contact between yourself and the ground. Type of tire and pressure are 2 key ingredients to cross success.

We asked each of the winners the following questions:
1. What tires did you run at Bear X-ing?
2. That pressure did you run?
3. Tubeless or Tubes?
4. What do you weigh?

Here are their responses.

Beginner
Women’s Winner: Eva Leikermoser (Trail Bicycles)
1. Vittoria EVO XG tubular tires
2. Good Question! We don’t know. There are no valve stems so Chris filled them by feel. Guessing 35lbs?? But they have a bit of a slow leak, so who knows?
3. Tubulars so they have tubes
4. Approx. 90lbs

Men’s Winner: Nicholas Knight (Arrowsmith Bikes)
1. My tires are Maxxis Mud Wrestler
2. my front is at 28 , My back is at 30
3. Tubes
4. my weight is about 120 lbs

Intermediate
Women’s Winner: Glenowyn Carlson (Pro Kitty Racing)
1. Tire pressure I know nothing about it, just pumped to above 30, seemed good
2. Just bought new tires, thought that all of my old ones were probably worn out, Racing Ralph’s,
3. Tubes
4. I’m a big person in a smaller person sport 68 to 71 kg

Men’s winner: Phil Schum (KPH)
1. 33 mm schwalbe x-1
2. About 42 psi
3. Tubeless
4. 215 pounds

Men’s Masters
Men’s 40-54 Winner: Normon Thibault (MIVA-Frontrunners-Rock City Cycles)
1. Challenge Limus Tubulars
2. 24lbs Front. 25.5lbs Rear
3. Tubular so they have tubes
4. 170lbs

Men’s 55+ Supermaster Winner: Bill McMillan (MIVA)
1. Michelin mud 2
2. 33 front 34 rear
3. Tubeless
4. I weigh about 160lb

Expert
Women’s Winner: Carey Mark (Coal City Cycles)
1. tires are Specialized Terra Pros. (Bought them last year to be UCI “width” friendly)
2. front and back 25 a piece. (Rear is still holding some last years stan’s)
3. Tubeless
4. hmm today probably around 125

Men’s Winner: Parker Bloom (Bored Street Cycles)
1. FMB Super Muds (http://www.broadstcycles.ca/the-fmb-story/)
2. 1.5 bar F, 1.6 bar R.
3. Tubulars so they have tubes
4. 60kgs in a rain storm.

2. Bear X-Ing Wrap Up

From Drew.

First off, a very special thanks to Norm, Katie and Roland for all of their hard work and tireless dedication to making the COTR series so awesome.

Secondly, I really want to focus on thanking the volunteers that helped out with COTR Bear Mtn. Without these fine folks none of this could happen.

When you see them at the next race, make sure to thank these folks:

Volunteer Wrangling:

The one and only, the incomparable Sylvia Storry.

Course Set Up crew:

1. Sylvia Storry
2. Cam McLellan
3. Amy Errington
4. Sabrina McLeod
5. Ian Brown
6. Curtis Schlossberger
7. Denise Mahon
8. Dave Podmoroff
9. Doug Doyle
10. Lister Farrar and his merry band of Triple Shot athletes
11. Joele Guynup
12. Kelly Guest
13. Rob Britton

Registration Team:

1. Ann Patrick and her daughters
2. Joanna Fox
3. Betsy Mackenzie
4. Patricia Roney
5. Sharon Hume
6. Andreane Lanthier Nadeau
7. Sylvia Storry

Timing Team:

1. Bruce Falk
2. Ritchie Collins
3. Victoria Leeson
4. Paul Brend
5. Darrel Barnes
6. Sherry Barnes
7. Roanne English
8. Warren McCall
9. Heather Simonson
10. Eric Simonson

Impromptu Tear Down team:

1. Matt Hornland
2. Adam Walker
3. Parker Bloom
4. Kris Sneddon
5. Jon Watkin
6. Lister Farrar
7. Joele Guynup
8. Roanne English
9. Terry McKall

A very big thank you also to our race sponsors:

Please remember to vote with your dollars and your kind words the next time you’re out shopping or talking about cyclocross to friends and strangers alike. The internet does not put on events or provide prizing for all the races in your local community. Make sure to support your local businesses/shops/distributors/representatives that work hard to support you!

Shimano (http://bike.shimano.com/)
Pearl Izumi (http://www.pearlizumi.com/)
Pro Components (http://www.pro-bikegear.com/en-gb)

And last but not least, a big thank you to Bear Mountain for hosting us once again. For the third year in a row Bear Mountain and the Westin have graciously let us take full advantage of the groomed cyclocross playground that is their driving range, and the best awards patio in existence, and yet has never once questioned our lack of cardigans and golf knickers.

From Norm
· BIG thanks to Richard Cook for towing the trailer down after Tugboat Cross to Bear Mountain for last weekend’s race.

· Thanks to Jak Mar at Island Cycles on Quadra for supplying the Super Masters prizes

· Peter and Cycles Lambert for the Muc Off for prizing.

· Phillips for Beer for the SSers

· Ho Jo for Draw Prizes

· And Bear Mountain!!

3. COTR 2016 Hats. Limited Quanity

Our COTR 2016 Hats made up by Sew What I Sew in Cumberland have been a HOT item. We sold out of 2 styles so far because they are sweet. I am going to try to get a few more of the Grey ones and maybe one other colour for Farmer Bills. $28 if you have exact change. $30 if you don’t! First come.

Remaining Styles are:

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4. No COTR race this weekend…..but there is the Tripleshot Crossfondo 2016

20km or 40km.

I stood on the edge of the Bear X-ing course last Sunday and Lister walked up beside me and said, “See that steam over there? That is where we are riding to next Sunday”. He was pointing WAY off into the distance. Triple Shot has been working on this for quite a while so this should be an AMAZING event and a tonne of fun. Get out on your CROSS bike….prepare for the rest of the COTR season. Have a great time!!

Check out this promo edit for the crossfondo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8SZ0xUsZQI&feature=youtu.be

Sunday, October 16, 2016, 9am: Victoria BC’s first mass participation off-road cycling event for all ages and abilities winds through flowy pine-needle trails and hairpin turns, over hills, roots and rocks, and churns through chunky peanut butter mud and puddles. Oh, and maybe a few hike-a-bike sections.

www.tripleshotcrossfondo.ca

If you have always wanted to do Three Peaks in England (http://3peakscyclocross.org.uk/) but have not checked it off your list. This is the closest we will get in Canada!!

Should be AWESOME

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