MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2025.  Season #19

Race Bikes.  Make Friends.  Have Fun.

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ARE YOU REGISTERED FOR THE MUC OFF CUP?
HAVE YOU CHECKED:
           YOUR POINTS?
Your points effect your call up position and your series standing.  Take a second and make sure you are getting credit!
           YOUR TEAM POINTS?
TEAM points will be LOCKED in for the first 2 races before the Muc Off Cup.  So take a moment and make sure they are correct.

Is your bike chip still on your bike?
Did you know you can pin your number on the LEFT for Monday!

1. MUC OFF Cup Preview.
REGISTRATION CLOSES: Sunday Night at 6:00 PM.  No on site registration.  

Some Fun Inspiration:
KONA Cup at Bowen Park 2018
Kona Cup at Bowen Park 2017
AND going WAY back to 2012 a Classic Pelle G. Edit

Welcome back to the Muc Off Cup! Third stop for the 2025 Cross on the Rock series. This is one of the hardest races of the year, you have full bellies from Thanksgiving feasting, long uphill straights, tricky downhills and soul sucking sand! Weather looks good with a slim chance of rain but be prepared. Pete from Muc Off and HLC will be there to assist with bike washing if it gets muddy. The course is a traditional euro style course with lots of elevation and will be very similar to previous years. 
The Stats!!
This race has some impressive stats over the history of the event.

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

Annual Course Hazards

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

Parking

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

Registration/Number pick up and race central

• Will be located near the Volley Ball courts

ALWAYS: Please be courteous to other park users.

Team Tents

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

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

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

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

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

Category	Start Time
Number Pick up Open	9:15 am
Beginner Clinic	10:00 am
Launch Men (Including Youth U13 and U15)	10:45 am
Launch Women (Including Youth U13 and U15)	10:46 am
Bigger Kids Full lap or almost a full lap (No stairs or bigger DH for the kids)	11:40
Intermediate Men (Including U17)	12:10 pm
Intermediate Women (Including U17 and Masters 40 and faster Women)	12:11 pm
Lil Nutcase Kids Race (Lower picnic shelter area below start/parking area)	12:15 pm
Masters Men (40-54)	1:15 pm
Super Master Men (55+)	1:16 pm
Open Men	2:30 pm
Open Women	2:31 pm

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

2. FUNHOUSE X – Review.

Roland’s first POV video for the season.  Masters Race.
Photos from Ari Robinson of the Intermediates and a few of Open and Masters
Photos from Ross Greenwood

Norm’s Notes:

• Rowan English getting the spirit award for the race. First race in 4 years.  Misses her race because she is coaching her kid through the little kids race.  I casually suggest she does Open and she does…..OUCH!!  Way to Go Rowan.
• I have 2 people on my list now of “we will bring you: Root beer/doughnuts/cash/genie wishes if you can get us into the race…..that have NOT delivered yet.  Missing out on Port Alberni Doughnuts was a low for last Sunday!
• ALWAYS impressed with how FAST the course comes down when more people pitch in.  Grab some stakes.  Take down some tape.  It will get cleaned up quickly and we can get on with the awards and draw prizes!
• Warm up rides are NOT the same as RACING.  So many people came back after their races and said it was “not as bad” as they thought it was going to be.  We all know the section that they were talking about!!  
• I can tell you…….this course will stand out in your memory!
• So many FAST single speeders in Masters Men this year!!  2 on the podium at Funhouse even with the big climb!

Nik’s Notes:
Wow what a great event.. I want to thank everyone who joined the fun this year! Your support and smiles are what drives the vision of this race.Event numbers increased by 12%. This is incredible. Also nice riding racers, the 98% success rate is very impressive! This may have been the spiciest COTR race ever? If not, it’s in our top 3 after 24 years of racing combined (Nik & Lee)We put in months of work building new lines!Word on the street is, MOST people enjoyed the added action on the course. (It will only get more silly and fun as the years go on) Thank you to all the volunteers:- Kevin Laidman, Todd Daradicks, John Kay, and Andy Hamilton for putting hours into the course set up. – Big Jeff for using his truck.- Port Alberni fire department for volunteering their time and resources to fill our MUD pit.- This year’s course clean up went much faster, thanks to all spectators and racers who lent a helping hand.- Thanks to all the series sponsors as well as our local event sponsors: Bomber Boulders, Twin City Brewing, The Salty Woodsman, Airhouse Nanaimo, Vancouver Island Soaring center, Godfather garage, The Jumping Slug bike shop, Trek Bicycles and anyone I may have missed for the amazing prizes!- Food trucks, Sutra foods, and Ro’s
When you come to town, think about supporting these awesome companies who help make local events possible! Things to remember:- Airhouse funhouse 1st of its kind @ Crossontherock event (This idea was cooked up 48hrs before the event)- Off camber is awesome, Mud is awesome- Norm was adamant everyone needed a suffer fest run up this year… So you got one 😉 (Note from Norm: This is NOT TRUE!)- COTR riders are bloody tough and skilled.. That was one heck of an experience and MOST were smiling about it!- Dj Hammy & DJ Oz for the LIVE music. They volunteered their time and energy to provide the best experience possible for the COTR family! Both these guys raced (DJ Oz 3rd inter men?!?! and DJ Hammy 6th open men on SS ?!!?!  Also 1st of its kind @ Crossontherock events- My son completed his first cross race at 2 years old. *teary-eyed*- Sun in October after a week of heavy rain made this a 10/10 day.. warm and slippery- Beer is also awesome.. Thanks to Twin City Brewing for the handling the beer gardens- Norm smiling and Rocket bulldozening me *Lee Special thank you to Lee Blais A.S.S. Grand master for being my partner in crime.. Stoked to see you back out on course getting loose!Norm for allowing us to host another great event in the valley! Thank you and see you next year in Port Alberni, for the Funhouse X COTR 2026 finals!! ;)(Still trying) #PortFinals2026 #crossishere
Cross is awesome… and HERE!!! Much Love Nik @ The Slug 

#COTR2025 #Cyclocross #CrossIsComing #RockCityCycles #RideWithUs #CrossOnTheRock

Parting ShotThere may never be another race quite like the Masters Men’s race at the Muc Off Cup 2021
It will always be remembered by those that raced it!

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2025.  Season #19

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We hope everyone had some time today to recognize and reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  It is an important time for us all to learn about the impact and trauma that the residential school system had on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. 
Race Season has started note
TEAM COMPETITION 2025

We have tweaked the team competition this year based on feedback.  This was in the works BEFORE the first race but we have not had time to re-program the calculator.  Roland will get this done in the next few days.  In the meantime recruit team members and make sure your team name is correct for everyone from last weekend!

Team Standings Rules

• Teams must have at least 3 members
• Top 8 racers per team contribute points towards the team score
• Winning Open is worth 100 points, Intermediate/Masters 90 points, Launch 80 points
• Other placings get a percentage on winners points based on placing

Points are LOCKED in at a certain point after each race.  This is to avoid a points “surge” at the end of the season which disrupts the points and makes it less fun for everyone.
 LOCK in Schedule:The points for race 1&2 are locked in the day before race #3.The points for race #3  are locked in the day before race #4.The points for race 4&5 locked in a week after race #5 and a week before the series final. Be sure to have your team name correct for the series final registration! It is a good idea to elect one person to check and edit team names for your team members after each race to make sure they are constant and the points are correct.
Repeat notes:

• UPDATE on Licenses for 2025.
  License Requirements for 2025 for Cross on the Rock. The most simple of all time.  No license required!  Race as much as you want or as little as you want.  No difference as you still don’t need a license.
• We do have a change for our number package.  Each racer (other than the 2 kids categories) will have a one time charge of $10 set up for their race number for the season.  This is just once unless you lose or destroy your race number.  This charge will offset our change in insurance providers and overall make it much easier and accessible for people to race our events.
• The Photo Contest is BACK!!  It has been a few years.  Time for photo our photo contest again!  Each photographer can enter their top 3 after race number 5.  We will have a panel of judges to determine the winner for the season.  Prizes will be given!

1. Coal Cross Review.
COAL CROSS RESULTS
RACER SERIES POINTS after Race #1

Some Photo links:
Terry McKall got some shots of the Masters and Super Masters before his battery died.  LINK

Thanks to everyone for their help on Sunday, and for making the race so great. Brett Whitehead, Scott McGregor, Dan Lehton, and Tim Roberts did so much work to get the course ready and make it the awesome lap it was. Tim cut a whole new run-up for us, but then we couldn’t use it after the downpour on Saturday. We’ll save it for next year. Thanks to those who volunteered and helped out: Jim Meldrum, Alex and Elyas Smith, Gavin McPhail, Annabelle and Suzanna, Jeff Warmerdam, Beth Pechter, Lisa Ludwig, Tyler Walker, Andrew Sauter, Erica, Luca, Nico and Sonja Schum, Gillian Clayton, Natalie Wright, and the different permutations and combinations of Pechters and Rachers. Thanks to all those who helped take down the course after the race too.  Huge thanks to our local sponsors: Jeff at Trail Bicycles, Emilie at BiblioTaco, and Jackson at Blue Toque. Thank these guys with your business the next time you’re in Cumberland.  It felt great getting heckled by Gray and Nolan during my race, and pushed hard by fellow racers from start to finish.  Hope you all had a great time at Village Park this year!
Norm’s Notes (So many for this event!!):

• A record BROKEN at Coal Cross.  Race #1 of the season already broke the record for the least number of DNFs.  For the very first time we had less than 1% not finish at 0.7%.  Only 2 races did not make it to the finish line.  Coal cross now occupies 3 of the top 10 “tamest” races with 1st, 2nd and 10th.  It also is #6 (2006) and #8 (2007) for hardest races!
• Some “Spirit” awards for the race:  Kimberly Chen for her pass during the OPEN race by taking the jump.  Zachary Rebitt for a wicked inside pass through a puddle.  Have not seen corners like that since Jeff Beaston owner of Trail Bikes was racing!
• Also some mentions of: 
  • Daiya Schlossburger doing her first OPEN women’s race at 15 and having to race her mom!
  • The “love fest” race between Canadian Champ Bob Welbourne and USA Champ Justin Morgan.  They had a great battle going and Bob even waited for Justin when he had his initial mechanical.  Unfortunately Justin had a late flat which shut that battle down and Bob was free to fly.
  • Mical Dyck coming back to COTR for the first time since 2019 and taking the win for fastest mom AND Open women.  Also extending her lead for the most wins EVER at COTR.
  • Eleanor Winchell racing on her birthday and matching her best placing for OPEN Women with another 2nd.  That first win has to be coming…..
  • Canadian Paris Olympic athlete Fiona Majendie making her cyclocross debut!
  • Andrew McCartney ALMOST had his jersey done up for the full OPEN men’s race……another record?
  • 12 Single speeders in Masters Men 40-54.  That has to be a record!

2. FUNHOUSE X coming this weekend. Preview.
REGISTRATION LINK IS OPEN

PORT ALBERNI IS BACK!! Location: Port Alberni Fair Grounds- 3737 Roger St, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 8J4 Fair grounds located at the end of Vimy St                            –  2.5 hour drive from Victoria                           – 1 hour drive from Nanaimo                           – 1.5 hour drive from Duncan

                          – 1 hour drive from Cumberland

Parking: (SEE THE MAP (Note they did not give us a Map)) There is a HUGE parking area. As you enter the grounds you will turn right, there is a giant gravel parking area. Look for the signs. Do NOT park near your team tent. The gates to team tents will be closed after 10am!! Get here early to set up tents.

Registration: If you need to pick up your race number,  make some change or switch your category it will be located right out front of the Kinsmen building as you enter the grounds. Washrooms will be near the Kinsmen building.Team Tents: All team tents will go up against the horse corral. See the attached map. Head into the grounds. Drop your tent and go park!  No room for vehicles. The gates to team tents will be closed after 10am!!

The pits will be located close to team tentsCourse: Grass, singletrack, sand, MUD, tractor pull, sawdust, and a big run up! It is a flat course, but flowy and still has that true Port Alberni flavour.Did we mention there is a live DJ AND a fire truck coming to fill our mud pit!?!?

This is THE race of the season, you won’t want to miss it!! 

Camping: There is camping available at the fairgrounds if needed. Please reach out info@jumpingslug.com and we will connect the dots.Course Hazards:  While we have use of the grounds, there may be people unaware. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP.

The course will have some special features… if you have not hit these features in practice, do not fly the SUPER HERO cape in the race!

Food Truck: Jacks Grilled Cheese and Surta foods will be providing the good eats this year!

Beer gardens: Twin City Brewing from Port Alberni will be back! Serving up their delicious beer! Make sure to have a cold one while cheering on the race.

Prizing:  Prizing will be provided by The Jumping Slug Bike Shop, Eleven Speed Coffee, V.I. Soaring center, Trek, Twin City Brewing, Godfather Garage, Hotel Zed, and our title sponsor Muc Off!!

Huge draw prize for one lucky racer at the end of the day!

(Must be there to win the prize)Race Day Schedule
Race day schedule unless otherwise posted:

Registration Open	9:15 am
Beginner Clinic-Pre Ride	10:00 am
Launch Men(Including Youth U13 and U15)	10:45 am
Launch Women ((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	2:30 pm
Open Women	2:31 pm

3. Cross Club Victoria
Have you heard about Cross Club? 

http://www.crossclubvictoria.com/
This year’s Wednesday night training are presented by Pro City Racing and are scheduled between September 10th and October 29th. These events are sanctioned through Cycling BC as a Grassroots 100 event and all participants must hold a current Cycling BC membership, or UCI License. Our events are weather-dependent; please check our Facebook page or email for updates on the day. If you have questions, please email the lead contact for the event, Kelly Guest.  Locations for each practice ride will be emailed to all registered participants on the Monday before each practice.   

Hey Clubs, Teams and Groups.

Time for us to update our Teams and Clubs page  If you have a team, club, or group that is cyclocross focused or does it on the side please let us know and we will get it up on our page.

Let’s get muddy, race hard, and have some fun this fall! 💪

#Cyclocross #CrossIsComing #RockCityCycles #RideWithUs #CrossOnTheRock

Parting Shot
If you mess up and miss the registration cut off don’t come empty handed!  We won’t turn you away but the right “bribe” always makes it a bit easier!!  (Also Jasper Blake I think you still owe us some root beer!!)

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2025.  Season #19

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Almost Race Season Notes:

• UPDATE on Licenses for 2025.
  License Requirements for 2025 for Cross on the Rock. The most simple of all time.  No license required!  Race as much as you want or as little as you want.  No difference as you still don’t need a license.
• We do have a change for our number package.  Each racer (other than the 2 kids categories) will have a one time charge of $10 set up for their race number for the season.  This is just once unless you lose or destroy your race number.  This charge will offset our change in insurance providers and overall make it much easier and accessible for people to race our events.
• Team Competition.  We have some changes to our team competition including points distribution and time cut off for sorting out your team names.  Keep an eye on the web page for updates on this.
• Photo Contest!!  It has been a few years.  Time for photo our photo contest again!  Each photographer can enter their top 3 after race number 5.  We will have a panel of judges to determine the winner for the season.  Prizes will be given!

1. Coal Cross Preview.
RACE #1. September 28th.  Coal Cross.  Village Park.  Cumberland. 
Registration is finally open for this event.  Sorry for the delay.

REGISTER HERE
It has taken a while to strip away a lot of what we no longer needed and add what we did need to our registration page.  We think we have it all sorted out but if you notice anything weird please let us know.

Since we are SO LATE we would also appreciate as much share-love that you can give us!!

Registration CLOSES at 6:00pm the night before each race.  Don’t be late.  Don’t forget.  Register right now!

Race Day Schedule
Race day schedule unless otherwise posted:

Registration Open	9:15 am
Beginner Clinic-Pre Ride	10:00 am
Launch Men(Including Youth U13 and U15)	10:45 am
Launch Women ((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	2:30 pm
Open Women	2:31 pm

Race Day Awards follow a quick clean up.

2. Looking Ahead to race #2
Year number two for the Jumping Slug COTR race and already a new name!!
We hope to have registration open by this weekend since we have hopefully dialed in the processes on CCN a bit better.  Keep an eye on our web page and socials.  In the meantime enjoy the event poster.

3. Repeat: Cross on the Rock 2025 – Season #19 – Series Schedule

RACE #1. September 28th.  Coal Cross.  Village Park.  Cumberland.  Trail Bikes Bike Club are hosting the series opener for 2025.  One of the best courses for spectating in one of the best towns for biking. Be sure to pop into and check out the new Frontrunners location on Dunsmuir Street and head to Bibliotaco while you are in town!

Race #2.  October 5th.  Twin City X.  The Fair Grounds.  Port Alberni.  It was great to have Port Alberni back on the schedule in 2024 with a rowdy time at the fair grounds.  There is no better reason to go over the hump than to race bikes with the Slug Crew.  Many racers said this was their favorite race of 2024.

Race #3. October 13th.  The Muc Off Cup.  Bowen Park.  Nanaimo.  We don’t like to just throw out the word “Classic” but in this case it is justified.  Bowen park Cross on the Rock is a CLASSIC.  Our 2nd most visited venue.  A race that has held many records including BIGGEST ever COTR race (2019), Biggest Category with Masters Men 88 racers (2017, Hardest Race with 14.5% DNFs ((2014) AND 2 of the “tamest” races of the top 10 in 2016 and 2019 with less than 1.6 and1.3% DNF.  The absolute BEST way to spend Thanksgiving Monday!!

Race #4.  October 26th.  Crosstoberfest.  Transfer Beach.  Ladysmith.  We are heading back to Ladysmith!!  The Cycle Therapy Cycling Club is swapping up their race venue for this season to bring back CROSSTOBERFEST.  If you were at Crosstoberfest the last time we raced there in 2019 you will remember the tide coming in through the day to the point during the Open race that there was not much beach left for the races! 

Race #5. November 2nd.  Hot Crossed Bunnies.  Beban Park.  Nanaimo.  The ICON.  Home of the first ever Canadian National Championship held on Vancouver Island of any cycling type.  Home of the first ever sanctioned cyclocross race on Vancouver Island.  The birthplace of COTR.  Our most frequently used venue!  In 19 COTR seasons we have raced here 18 years PLUS 3 more times!

Race #6.  November 16. Broad Street Cycles GP.  Jordie Lunn Bike Park. (Greater) Victoria. (Langford).  Finishing the 19th COTR season with Victoria races for the first time since 2018 and the Day of Thunder.  We will be racing for double points and to beat our friends on the challenging course at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.  Finishing the season with awards, celebrations and smiles after yet another amazing fall!

Hey Clubs, Teams and Groups.

Time for us to update our Teams and Clubs page  If you have a team, club, or group that is cyclocross focused or does it on the side please let us know and we will get it up on our page.

Let’s get muddy, race hard, and have some fun this fall! 💪

#Cyclocross #CrossIsComing #RockCityCycles #RideWithUs #CrossOnTheRock

Parting Shot (Looking to race #3 before Race #1!)

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2025.  Season #19

Newsletter #2 -Schedule Adjustment –
Race Bikes.  Make Friends.  Have Fun.

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It is the Tuesday night 5 days before what was supposed to be our first race of Season #19 for Cross on the Rock at Layritz Park.  We have made the decision this afternoon to not go a head with that events as our season opener.  We can get into all the reasons for it but basically it was getting to the point that we were just pushing and pushing to make it happen.  We were bending time, space and resources and we did not think it would have been a great race.  The available terrain after factoring in all the other events happening in the park on Sunday was in the opinion of our crew “Great for a Wednesday nighter but not great for a COTR event”.

In 19 seasons we have only cancelled a race one other time and that was for a black out snow storm.  We are not happy about it.  We did not take the decision lightly but we know it is the right thing to do.

The search continues for another more available and viable venue in Victoria!!

In the meantime we are continuing our preparations for Race #1 for 2025 and we will see you at Coal Cross!

Pre-Season Notes:

• UPDATE on Licenses for 2025.  We still do not have this worked out.  We are exploring a few options for the season.  One includes Cycling BC.  One does not.  If you don’t have your license yet…..just hold off for now.  IF you plan on racing Provincial Championships you WILL need a license.  IF you only plan on racing Cross on the Rock this year you might not need a license.  We will sort it out with lots of time before race #1.
• Mountain Bike World Championships on this week!  COTR Alumni Jenn Jackson taking her first ever International short track podium WHEN IT COUNTED with a 3rd at the world championships!  Keep an eye on all the action!!

1. UPDATED Cross on the Rock 2025 – Season #19 – Series Preview

RACE #1. September 28th.  Coal Cross.  Village Park.  Cumberland.  Trail Bikes Bike Club are hosting the series opener for 2025.  One of the best courses for spectating in one of the best towns for biking. Be sure to pop into and check out the new Frontrunners location on Dunsmuir Street and head to Bibliotaco while you are in town!

Race #2.  October 5th.  Twin City X.  The Fair Grounds.  Port Alberni.  It was great to have Port Alberni back on the schedule in 2024 with a rowdy time at the fair grounds.  There is no better reason to go over the hump than to race bikes with the Slug Crew.  Many racers said this was their favorite race of 2024.

Race #3. October 13th.  The Muc Off Cup.  Bowen Park.  Nanaimo.  We don’t like to just throw out the word “Classic” but in this case it is justified.  Bowen park Cross on the Rock is a CLASSIC.  Our 2nd most visited venue.  A race that has held many records including BIGGEST ever COTR race (2019), Biggest Category with Masters Men 88 racers (2017, Hardest Race with 14.5% DNFs ((2014) AND 2 of the “tamest” races of the top 10 in 2016 and 2019 with less than 1.6 and1.3% DNF.  The absolute BEST way to spend Thanksgiving Monday!!

Weekend break in here for the Tripleshot Cross Fondo!

Race #4.  October 26th.  Crosstoberfest.  Transfer Beach.  Ladysmith.  We are heading back to Ladysmith!!  The Cycle Therapy Cycling Club is swapping up their race venue for this season to bring back CROSSTOBERFEST.  If you were at Crosstoberfest the last time we raced there in 2019 you will remember the tide coming in through the day to the point during the Open race that there was not much beach left for the races! 

Race #5. November 2nd.  Hot Crossed Bunnies.  Beban Park.  Nanaimo.  The ICON.  Home of the first ever Canadian National Championship held on Vancouver Island of any cycling type.  Home of the first ever sanctioned cyclocross race on Vancouver Island.  The birthplace of COTR.  Our most frequently used venue!  In 19 COTR seasons we have raced here 18 years PLUS 3 more times!

A break in here for the Provincial Championships!

Race #6.  November 16. Broad Street Cycles GP.  Jordie Lunn Bike Park. (Greater) Victoria. (Langford).  Finishing the 19th COTR season with Victoria races for the first time since 2018 and the Day of Thunder.  We will be racing for double points and to beat our friends on the challenging course at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.  Finishing the season with awards, celebrations and smiles after yet another amazing fall!

Registration will be OPEN for Cumberland in about a week so keep your eyes on our IG or FB pages and on our site as we update it for the upcoming season.

Hey Clubs, Teams and Groups.

Time for us to update our Teams and Clubs page  If you have a team, club, or group that is cyclocross focused or does it on the side please let us know and we will get it up on our page.

Let’s get muddy, race hard, and have some fun this fall! 💪

#Cyclocross #CrossIsComing #RockCityCycles #RideWithUs #CrossOnTheRock

Parting Shot
Slightly Delayed start to the season but we are looking forward to seeing everyone in Cumberland!!

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2025.  Season #19

Newsletter #1 (The First Round) – Race Bikes.  Make Friends.  Have Fun.

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Summer takes us away and gives us adventure and SO much fun…..and then every year cyclocross season sneaks up on us.  September seems so far away and there seems like there is way more time than there is.  Then BOOM!  Labour day is here and you have not done a single interval!  Don’t worry.  Almost everyone is in the same situation.  The Cross on the Rock series is not the world championships.  If you are in shape.  Out of shape.  Want to get in shape……..it is about racing hard and having fun.  More than that it is a gathering of some of the best people in one place on 7 days of the fall.  It is a homecoming for our community!  It is coming FAST!  We can’t wait!

Pre-Season Notes:

• Licenses for 2025.  We don’t know what will be needed yet or how CBC has adjusted their policies yet.  Give us a week and it will be sorted out.  We will post it on the web page and our socials.  If you don’t have your license yet…..just hold off for now.
• It has been a BUSY summer for COTR Alumni!  From PB’s at Elite World Cup MTB races for Emilly Johnston.  LEADING the U23 world Cup for Ella Macphee.  Top 5’s for Marin Lose.   To the Canada Summer Games for Sidney Swierenga (Jr Women),  Eleanor Winchell (Team relay posdium),   Kimberly Chen ( Gold in the Women’s Criterium,) (Photo from CBC e-mail).  And way back Alumi Sarah Van Dam rode her first Tour de France Femmes,   So much to keep track of and I am sure we missed more than we found but it is amazing to see our friends competing in bigger races and off the island.

1. Cross on the Rock 2025 – Season #19 – Series Preview
RACE #1: September 14th.  Victoria Cyclocross Grand Prix. Layritz Park. (Greater) Victoria (Saanich). Triple Shot Cycling Club and Pro City Cycles-The Trek Shop will be joining forces once again to kick off the race season.  Layritz Park was the location of our first cyclocross race experience on a Wednesday nighter so it will be amazing to bring COTR back to one of its original VI Race venues.

RACE #2. September 28th.  Coal Cross.  Village Park.  Cumberland.  Trail Bikes Bike Club are hosting the second stop for this years series.  One of the best courses for spectating in one of the best towns for biking. Be sure to pop into and check out the new Frontrunners location on Dunsmuir Street and head to Bibliotaco while you are in town!

Race #3.  October 5th.  Twin City X.  The Fair Grounds.  Port Alberni.  It was great to have Port Alberni back on the schedule in 2024 with a rowdy time at the fair grounds.  There is no better reason to go over the hump than to race bikes with the Slug Crew.  Many racers said this was their favorite race of 2024.

Race #4. October 13th.  The Muc Off Cup.  Bowen Park.  Nanaimo.  We don’t like to just throw out the word “Classic” but in this case it is justified.  Bowen park Cross on the Rock is a CLASSIC.  Our 2nd most visited venue.  A race that has held many records including BIGGEST ever COTR race (2019), Biggest Category with Masters Men 88 racers (2017, Hardest Race with 14.5% DNFs ((2014) AND 2 of the “tamest” races of the top 10 in 2016 and 2019 with less than 1.6 and1.3% DNF.  The absolute BEST way to spend Thanksgiving Monday!!

Weekend break in here for the Tripleshot Cross Fondo!

Race #5.  October 26th.  Crosstoberfest.  Transfer Beach.  Ladysmith.  We are heading back to Ladysmith!!  The Cycle Therapy Cycling Club is swapping up their race venue for this season to bring back CROSSTOBERFEST.  If you were at Crosstoberfest the last time we raced there in 2019 you will remember the tide coming in through the day to the point during the Open race that there was not much beach left for the races! 

Race #6. November 2nd.  Hot Crossed Bunnies.  Beban Park.  Nanaimo.  The ICON.  Home of the first ever Canadian National Championship held on Vancouver Island of any cycling type.  Home of the first ever sanctioned cyclocross race on Vancouver Island.  The birthplace of COTR.  Our most frequently used venue!  In 19 COTR seasons we have raced here 18 years PLUS 3 more times!

Race #7.  November 16. Broad Street Cycles GP.  Jordie Lunn Bike Park. (Greater) Victoria. (Langford).  Bookending the 19th COTR season with Victoria races for the first time since 2018 and the Day of Thunder.  We will be racing for double points and to beat our friends on the challenging course at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.  Finishing the season with awards, celebrations and smiles after yet another amazing fall!

Registration will be OPEN for race #1 in about a week so keep your eyes on our IG or FB pages and on our site as we update it for the upcoming season.

2. Clinics.  Camps.  Adventures.
If you are interested in some specific training and clinics for this upcoming season or just to improve your riding here are a few things to consider.  Some of these are THIS WEEKEND so there is still time!!

  At Jordie for the weekend, with a morning skills session there in the mornings and group rides in the afternoons. Here’s the link to register: https://ccnbikes.com/#!/events/breakaway-cycling-club-cyclocross-camp-2025

Also on Sept 6th I’m holding another Scrabblethon, School House Rock Edition! It’s great prep for COTR! It’s a short gravel loop, 5-10 min laps, and each time around you collect a Scrabble piece. You’ve got 1hr to ride as many laps as you want/can, and then whoever has the best word at the end wins! Super fun, but peeps can rip around as fast as they want, or keep it more chill and have fun with friends.

Hey Clubs, Teams and Groups.

Time for us to update our Teams and Clubs page  If you have a team, club, or group that is cyclocross focused or does it on the side please let us know and we will get it up on our page.

For example Rock City Cycles is putting together their team for the season.  Check their IG post:

We’re putting together this year’s Rock City Cycles Cyclocross Team and it’s time to build the new list. If you want to be part of the team for the upcoming season, we’d love to have you!

👉 The old email list is out of date, so we’re starting fresh. If you’re interested in riding with us this year, please send us an email at info@rockcitycycles.ca to get on the roster.

Let’s get muddy, race hard, and have some fun this fall! 💪

#Cyclocross #CrossIsComing #RockCityCycles #RideWithUs #CrossOnTheRock

Parting Shot
Bring the kids out for the Riverway Dental Hot Lap!  A great way to get kids involved and the perfect progression into the Launch category!!