Cross on the Rock

Cross on the Rock 2015. Season #10. Newsletter #3.

In this Newsletter:

1. Coal Cross Review
2. Wanted: Cross-sitters
3. Welcome Back to these Sponsors (Part 1)
4. Weekly Rides and Practices (Updated)

Don’t forget to Register for Tugboat Cross this weekend. https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=999

Preview coming on Wednesday or Thursday!

Don’t forget your license or $10. You know us…..you know how we are….NO EXCEPTIONS!

BIG turn out for the first cross race of the year. Racers were a bit rusty. We were a bit rusty. It will all sort out!

Notes:

• The Zoom Zoom Half track race was a BIG hit!! We could not quite do “Half Track” at Cumberland because of the “nature of the course” but Dave Nowak and Justin Mark set up a great course up top in the camp ground.
• For those wanting to know the “guidelines” for the Zoom Zoom half track vs. the ‘Lil Nutcase kids race. The ‘Lil Nutcase kids race is more for little kids. Push bikes, training wheels, single speed kids bikes. At Cumberland we had mostly 5 and under with I think 1 6 year old. The Zoom-Zoom kids race was 5 years old up to about 10. Again Parents can make the decision which event to do and if you child is “on the bubble” at around 5 or 6 feel free to try both.
• Licenses….you know us….no exceptions!
• Harbour Air. What an entrance!
• Team Tents. We will try to have a specified zone. BUT all team tents should always be STAKED and secured.
• Heckling. See notes on our FB post. If you are not on FB it is basically: Heckle friends (if they can take it). Encourage everyone else. If you are a “bad heckler” you will be asked to leave.
• Dirty Taco….you gotta check them out. SWEET prizes at our first race!
• Sorry Lee Blais. Our new #1 FB post by a long-long-long shot is a 50 second shot of the Cumberland Crit with over 8,000 views and 16,000 people reaches. Nothing else has come close!

1. REVIEW: Race #1. September 13th: Coal Cross. Taking it to the trees. Cumberland.

Video (actually “digital”….I have no idea what the correct term is for this any more)

First Edit of the season comes from Erik Diertens: Here is the link to my edit from Coal Cross if you want to check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ONzvcerkcU

Still – Galleries

Patrick Burnham (aka @palleus): https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157658221884679
Jennifer Dykstra from Open Image: www.openimage.zenfolio.com/cross password: Fall2015 Please Jenn know if you would like any of them.

From co-directors Lisa and Curtis

Well COTR, that’s a wrap for the “Taking it to the Trees” 2015 Cumberland Coal Cross Race out at Comox Lake. Thanks for being there, seeing our gorgeous forest/lake and blasting out the race lung cobwebs. We hope you had fun!

Curtis and I can’t take all the credit for the race success.

• A lot of it is you, who create the cross community with your genuine character, sportsmanship and healthy competition.
  A lot of it is Norm. Enough said. Super dad, super businessman, super race organizer, and an all around great guy. (Does the man ever sleep?(My note: I am asleep right now)
• A lot of it is Katie and Roland (& their team) – the timing and reg gurus/sages (THANK YOU)
• A huge part of our success are the local government and recreation programmers.
  • Kevin and Leah at the Village of Cumberland
  • Terry and the crew at the Cumberland Lake Park Campground
• And an anchor to the whole race going off is our volunteer group.
  • Mom and Dad Saunders – amazing grandparents for taking our tenacious kids for two full days so we can be somewhat organized!
  • Dave Nowak
  • Our medics: Jason Stevens and Erin Ward
  • Our registration gals
  • Our timing gals
  • Our set up/tear down pit crew
  • Our local mountain bike club – UROC
  • DJ Doran
  • Everyone who helped us along the way that I might have missed because my nose was buried in timing, organizing, prizing, etc.

THANK YOU ALL!

Thank you to the local Comox Valley businesses who continuously show their affable support year after year:
– Trail Bikes
– Dodge City Cycles
– Riding Fool Hostel
– Gladstone Brewery
– Guerrilla Food Company – pizzeria
– Eatmore Sprouts
– Comox Valley Collective – CVC Magazine
– Tarbell’s Deli and Espresso
– Sew What, I Sew – Filthy Taco!
– Darkside Chocolates
– Naked Bikes
– Blue Toque Sports Consignment
– Rusty Rooster Home Furnishings
– The Broken Spoke Bike and Coffee Shop
– Mount Washington Alpine Resort
– Mudsharks Coffee

What a great day and race!
Adieu, Lisa and Curtis

FMI (Norm’s note. I had to look up “FMI”) of the Cumberland Community Forest Society, please check out: www.cumberlandforest.com

LOST AND FOUND
Already have 2 helmets in there. One silver Giro one with a Visor that is up on Quadra Island right now and another helmet in my garage….surely you noticed if you are missing a helmet?

COTR #1: Norm’s Notes

• Biggest ever turn out for Cumberland and placing Coal Cross 2015 at #3 out of 60?(what is our official number) Races in 10 years.
• Not too hard….did not make it onto the top 10 of DNF’s at only 5% DNF’s
• 1st and 2nd in the EXPERT Men’s race BOTH won on SS’s. That is a 1st for sure for COTR and possibly for the province!
• Certainly not too easy
• LOVED the new Zoom Zoom Half Track race.
• LOVED the sand
• LOVED the Harbour Air fly by and cross-race taxi!
• HARD course….but I kinda loved it!
• LOVED being back racing cross on Vancouver Island
• Looking forward to the rest of the race season!!

2. Wanted: Cross-sitters.

We have a huge number of moms and dads racing with their kids at the venue. We have a huge number of 12+ year olds at each race that might want to make a bit of $ to pay for a new tube, bar tape, chain lube etc. Lets make a data base of Cross-sitters and match them up with cross-parents.

If you are someone that is interested in racing AND making a bit of money watching a kid or two at each event PLEASE let us know.

If you are a parent that needs help with child minding during your race let us know.

Lets get these groups together.

Guideline should be: 15-20 minutes before your race. During your race and 10-15 minutes after.

Should we have a standard price?

Send me your feedback and thoughts. If someone wants to run this little data base and connect people let me know.

It could be GREAT!

3. Welcome to our Returning COTR Sponsors (Part 1)

It takes a LOT of sponsors to make this series what it is. PLEASE go out of your way to support those that go out of their way to support what we love to do!

Riverway Dental.
Wade Luksay and family race the series but they also support and sponsor the Youth Categories for the last two years taking over from a conglomeration of shops and clubs that got those categories going. Rumour has it they may alter their whole vacation plans to make the final race of 2015.

Naked
We have not done a bike count for a while at a COTR race…but with Sam Whittingham’s support and amazing skill there are more Naked bikes showing up at each race and every season. Steel (and Ti) are REAL!! Parker Bloom WON Expert Men’s Coal Cross on a SS Naked! (and Mical won Expert women’s on a geared Naked).

KONA
As long as there has been COTR. KONA has been involved. Now the name sake sponsor of the KONA KUP (which moves to Beban Park this year). Legendary Dik Cox even came out and raced one of our events.

Shimano-PRO-Pearl Izumi
Heavy hitters in the bike industry but still not too big to support our local grassroots series. Course Tape. Draw Prizes. Series Prizes. Great support! Plus according to Sam Wittingham NOTHING is as good as Shimano cross disc brakes right now. Shimano stuff just works! PRO components are sweet and Pearl Izumi make awesome clothing and running shoes. Pumped to have them on board with our series!

Island Cycles
Way up on Quadra Island there is a little bike shop called Island Cycles. They do more for Super Masters racing in the COTR series than ANYONE else EVER. All because Jack Mar wanted to make it happen. So he did. Instead of just talking he took it upon himself to support this category and ensure that once we hit 55 (it is coming) there will be competitive racing still to be had at COTR. Thanks Jack!

Rumble
Are you ready to Rumble? At each event we will pick something special to highlight and support from Paul Underhill and his Rumble crew (Did you see Paul take the holeshot during the Masters race at COTR #1?). At COTR #1 it was Last not Lapped. At COTR #2…it will be something different! You don’t have to be 1st over the line to win! Welcome back Paul (He could not race last year because of injuries).

Part 2 coming in the next newsletter but in the meantime go out and support these sponsors!! (Might be hard to get in to see anyone at the Dental Center though…and a long way to go from the lower island….but you can say “thanks” at the next race.

4. Weekly Cross Rides Happening on the Island

Nanaimo
MIVA has a weekly Cross practice on Tuesday Nights. See their FB page for details

Courtenay
Trail Bikes is the place to be and to contact. No confirmation but I believe it is on Wednesdays. If I get more info I will update.

Duncan-This is the info for this week:
Hello Riders,

With the first race of the season under our belt, some new participants and our first of many improvement awards handed out – the Cowichan Cross CX practice is gaining momentum! Thanks to all for coming out so far.

This week we are going to be back at the Maple Bay Elementary, located here:

http://goo.gl/maps/EIXwt

Starting at 6 pm on Wednesday, with a focus on off-camber this week.

Same format as before, with 15 min sessions of:
> – warm up and course preview
> – skill clinic
> – mock race 1
> – mock race 2

Victoria
Wednesday nights is the Cross Club aka the “Cross Underground” which is actually not so underground any more. This is the longest running cross series in Canada right here on Vancouver Island

Cross Club 2015

Victoria’s “Underground” Cyclocross Series Returns

The rain has arrived may never arrive…. But it’s Cyclocross Season, so time to sharpen your CX skills!
B’s ride at 5:30pm
A’s ride at 6:00pm.

Details on locations will be emailed to the registered riders list each week.
Ride#3 is September 23
Ride#4 is September 30
Ride #5 is October 7
(Please note: No ride on Oct 14 due to Cross on the Rock race on Monday, Oct 12th of that week)
Ride #6 is October 21
Ride #7 is October 28

Cross on the Rock 2015. Season #10. Newsletter #2.

In this Newsletter:

1) Coal Cross Preview
2) Welcome to our new sponsors
3) Thanks to our leaving sponsors (Re-introducing returning sponsors will be next week!)
4) Weekly Rides and Practices

Don’t forget to Register
Don’t forget your license or $10. You know us…..you know how we are….NO EXCEPTIONS!

Race #1. September 13th: Coal Cross. Taking it to the trees. Cumberland. Comox Lake (Don’t go to Village Park).

Before the first COTR race even happens one of the highlight events of the year will be going down the night before….in downtown Cumberland!

Saturday night is the Waverly Cyclocross Criterium and UROC Fundraiser starting at 5:00 at the Waverly Hotel (Downtown Cumberland) Great prizes. Great Fun. Great People. Great Cause…..it is great! Check Facebook for all the details (poster WAY down below).

Sunday’s COTR Location:

Cumberland Lake Park Campground
– is out at Comox Lake; formal address: 1100 Comox Lake Road, Cumberland, BC
– www.cumberlandlakepark.ca

A LOT of people hounding me for information on the NEW COURSE this week….especially on Wednesday night. I don’t know it! No one does….. with the exception of ONE MAN.

That man is Curtis Saunders and this is his description of the course:

Race course description (from course designer Curtis Saunders):

“The race starts beside the majestic Comox lake in Cumberland, BC.

When the air raid-start siren sounds, it’s a 150 foot (that is about 50 meters in Canadian….editor’s note) drag race for the super-cross-style hole shot that shatters into a gravel right hand corner. Racers pursue a grueling climb into a roller coaster ride through cyclocross-racer-only designated campsites.

The course then descends off into a World Cup DH #5 style hair raising descent, with a possible out and back road section, followed by an Erzberg-esque rock garden beach ride beside trundling picnic benches that offer photo op views of scenic Forbidden Plateau across the lake.

Racers then gruel through the Sandpit of Despair and then enter the challenging barrier hopping section. Repeat.”

Back to me….well….that sounds AWESOME!! Lets race!!

NEW THIS YEAR: There will be the new Harbour Air Hand Up zone on the course. Look for the logo’ed Bunting and members of their COTR team. The team will be handing out numbered “Boarding Passes”. Grab them. Stash them on yourself. Don’t wipe yourself or anyone else out while doing it. At the awards we will call one boarding pass number and the holder will win passes on Harbour Air. (Hint…..it will be obvious where it is at this race).

Accommodations

Terry at the Cumberland Lake Campground has put aside a number of tenting sites just for COTR racers on Saturday night. They are beautiful spots and you’ll see first-hand the fun new venue and race course for this year!

Cumberland is looking forward to hosting you for our double header cx weekend! If you are looking for a place to stay, there are a few options that we can offer: The Riding Fool Hostel, Stansbury’s Guest House, the Cumberland Getaway and the CLWS Cumberland Lake Wilderness Society. Please call ahead to book your spot at any of these places as they’re run by some great peeps.

Registration (Repeat but always important)

Registration for each race will close at 7:00pm the night before the race.
Registration for the series will close at 7:00pm the night before the first race (in order to get the series discount).

Here is the link If you want to register for the series:
Series Registration – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/registration/series/?id=835A25A9-85AA-43A4-AA4C-61E118F17631

For the Individual races go here:

Race 1 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=998
Race 2 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=999
Race 3 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1000
Race 4 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1001
Race 5 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1002
Race 6 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1003
Race 7 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1004

Cross on the Rock Categories 2015 (There have been some changes) and start times.

Welcome to our NEW COTR Sponsors

The amazing thing about this series is that almost all the sponsors also race. It brings a special touch to the series when everyone involved is REALLY involved!

The other amazing thing is it takes a LOT of sponsors to make this series what it is. PLEASE go out of your way to support those that go out of their way to support what we love to do!

WD40 Bike
Long time supporter of the series, Peter Creighton from Cycles Lambert has channeled all his budget into WD40’s support of Cross on the Rock. The wet-muddier races (not this weekend if you have checked the forecast) will enjoy the WD40 Power Washing station under their bright tent with a gas powered bearing cleaning ported and polished power washer. Then you can re-lube and wash up using the great products from WD40.

Harbour Air
You will have seen some of the Harbour Air crew out last season sporting their team jerseys. We are super excited to have them on board as a series sponsor this year. You will see the Harbour Air Hand Up zone at all the races this year. Remember to grab a boarding pass for your chance to win a round trip flight anywhere Harbour Air flies.

Vancouver Island Mazda Dealers
Zoom Zoom! New Sponsors this year sponsoring the kids Half Track race (after the beginners). Mazda will also be sponsoring some new edits from Pelle and a prize purse. You will see their wicked cars on course. Check them out (don’t crash into them please).

B78 Coaching
Sponsor of the pre-race clinic with rider Mical Dyck leading out the group. B78 will also be giving away some prizes and coaching consultations.

Blue Tuke Sport Swap
Sporting Goods and Consignment Store in Courtenay. 6000sqft of GEAR!!! Plus….the owner, Paul Laperriere, races the series!

(Thanks to our RETURNING Sponsors coming next newsletter)

Many thanks to our Outgoing Sponsors

Thanks to Brad Head from Zed Wheels (www.zedwheels.com) for sponsorship from 2011 to 2014. Brad makes wicked wheels including the Cross Rock wheel set. If you need great wheels that work in our conditions please consider Brad!

Lezyne, Muc Off were both through Cycles Lambert which has transformed into our new title sponsor with WD40.

Action Motorcycles helped us out for a number of years with Jamie Emery but is focusing (understandably) on their Moto Market rather than our non-motorized one. Thanks Very Much Action Moto….if you want two wheels WITH a Motor…..there is only one choice.

Straight Up Cycles Curtis Schlossberger helped us out last season with some cash and prizes for the events starting with Bear Mountain. Curtis has moved on from Straight Up Cycles but we appreciated his support to the series.

Orange Sport Supply has been and on/off sponsor of the series since the start. They also supported Wendy Simms for a number of years with eNVy chainrings when she started racing more seriously. Greg Inkster does a lot of community support for the size of company he has and we thank him very much for supporting COTR when he could.

Weekly Cross Rides Happening on the Island

Nanaimo
MIVA has a weekly Cross practice on Tuesday Nights. See their FB page for details

Courtenay
Trail Bikes is the place to be and to contact. No confirmation but I believe it is on Wednesdays. If I get more info I will update.

Duncan
Wednesdays as well. Cowichan CX. Contact Tom Elliot at tom@elliot.org

Come out to get your CX legs and practice the pain face (it’s an important part!) you want for 2015.

Please note that this week the Cowichan Cross practice is 6:00PM, Quamichan School on Beverly Street.

Victoria
Wednesday nights is the Cross Club aka the “Cross Underground” which is actually not so underground any more. This is the longest running cross series in Canada right here on Vancouver Island

Cross Club 2015

Victoria’s “Underground” Cyclocross Series Returns

The rain has arrived may never arrive…. But it’s Cyclocross Season, so time to sharpen your CX skills!

B’s ride at 5:30pm
A’s ride at 6:00pm.

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

Ride #1 and Kickoff is September 9
Ride#2 is September 16
Ride#3 is September 23
Ride#4 is September 30
Ride #5 is October 7
(Please note: No ride on Oct 14 due to Cross on the Rock race on Monday, Oct 12th of that week)
Ride #6 is October 21
Ride #7 is October 28

Any questions or want to send any information:
Normon Thibault
E-Mail: normont@islandnet.com

cid:B3CC9765-5CFA-4CC7-BA2A-6B288A085AD7@no.shawcable.net

Cross on the Rock (COTR) is a grassroots, laid back, fun, social, inclusive, surprisingly competitive Cyclocross series on Vancouver Island. It is organized through the efforts of many clubs, organizations and individuals collectively known as the “Council of Cross

… chain with wd 40 me neither good thing is wd 40 s out with a line of

Are you In or do you want OUT?
First order of business is this newsletter subscription list. I know times and people change. You might not want to ride cross any more (that is really strange). You might not want to follow cross any more (more strange). IF you don’t want this newsletter. Fire me an e-mail. If you are getting this e-mail more than once….send me a note. If it is going to an old address and you want it to go to a fancy new one…..let me know.

The new footer for 2015 is not quite 100%. Missing Island Cycles and wrong colour for B78…..but you guys get the picture!

COTR Season #10.  2015  is here!  This weekend started the cross season in B.C. with the first race at Aldor Acres in Ft. Langley.  There is racing almost every weekend from now until the first weekend in December with the season finishing up with a great finale the Single Speed Cyclocross World Champs in Victoria.  Followed one week later by our own Provincial Champs.  Behind the scenes the race organizers have organized a schedule with the least conflicts in the last few years allowing racers to travel back and forth over the Salish Sea for more cx action (and avoiding the strong US $).

There is a LOT going on!

I could make this first newsletter a massive novel of information.  Instead I will try to keep it as tight as possible and then I will hit you a bit more mid week with Newsletter #2.

Are you In or do you want OUT?

First order of business is this newsletter subscription list.  I know times and people change.  You might not want to ride cross any more (that is really strange).  You might not want to follow cross any more (more strange).  IF you don’t want this newsletter.  Fire me an e-mail.  If you are getting this e-mail more than once….send me a note.  If it is going to an old address and you want it to go to a fancy new one…..let me know.

Cross on the Rock 2015. Season #10

If you missed the schedule that was posted on our web site last December.  Or did not get/read your newsletter at the end of November.  Maybe you are not on Face Book? 

This is the schedule for COTR 2015 with an overview of each event.

Race #1. September 13^th: Coal Cross.  Taking it to the trees. Cumberland. Comox Lake (Don’t go to Village Park).

The first COTR race is September 13^th but the season will start the night before in downtown Cumberland with the Cyclocross Criterium and UROC Fundraiser at the Waverly Hotel.  This crazy event last year was a highlight of the season for everyone that raced, watched or heckled at.  Plus Regan L. Pringle is on the poster.

Stay over night at one of the many nice little spots in Cumberland OR camp out at Comox Lake so you can wake up and be on the start line (literally) the next morning.

Comox Lake will be this year’s Cumberland venue.  Curtis is “taking it to the trees”.  We will have a FULL-Preview of this event next week but for now get excited about racing in a new and amazing spot.  Pack your swim suit!

Race #2. September 27^th: Tugboat Cross. Ladysmith. Transfer Beach.

After a one year absence due to scheduling conflicts COTR travels to another scenic venue at Transfer Beach. …..yeah I know……it is beautiful!  Not only that is has a wicked playground to keep the little kids busy ALL-DAY! 

The course at Transfer Beach has a bit of everything including elevation change, sand, beach, steps, grass and a super cool outdoor stadium.  If you get their early enough pop up into the town to find the best Cinnamon Bun on Vancouver Island.

Race #3. October 12^th: Pro City Racing GP. Victoria. Topaz Park. 

Every year we get a couple of e-mails letting us know that we put the date of our Thanksgiving Weekend race on the wrong date.  Nope!  Canadian legend-coach, Dan Proux, started this Thanksgiving tradition with us out at Juan de Fuca and it has become one of our biggest race dates with 3 of the biggest races in the top 10 on Thanksgiving Monday.

The last time we raced Topaz Park was in 2011 when Dawn Anderson and Tyler trace won the Expert Category.  That race had 190 people which was our biggest event up until that point.  A record that stood for a full season.

Race #4. October 25^th: Bear Crossing.  Victoria.  Bear Mountain

Same mountain as last year….but a totally different area as we take over the LOWER golf course instead of the UPPER driving range.  As normal Drew MacKenzie will have an exciting course planned out that will allow to race so hard that you will feel absolutely no guilt hanging out on the deck of the Westin in your chamois later with a Phillips in your hand.

Race #5. November 7^th: KONA KUP.  Nanaimo. Beban Park

Heads up…if you go to the location of the last 6 Kona Kups at Bowen park….you will NOT find the race there.  The Kona Kup heads to BEBAN park for the first time.  The last time Beban Park was used was in 2012 for the series championships put on by MIVA.  It had been used every year for a cross race since 2003 up until 2012 including the National Championships in 2006.  Always a tough course! Race #1 of our first Double Header in 2 years.  Book a room and the HoJo and save the drive home….’cause we want you back for the next day.

Race #6. November 8^th:  My Little Pony Cross. Nanoose.  Arbutus Meadows

MIVA is organizing Race #2 of this year’s Double Header at Arbutus Meadows.  COTR’s third trip to this great venue that has a bit of everything.  This event is not until November…..so the final bits and pieces of course design are not quite nailed down but I know the topo and aerial shots are out and the crew is marking out all the possibilities.  

Race #7. November 15^th: Ronde Van Hogwarts.  Shawnigan.  Shawnigan Lake School

The season final will be at Shawnigan Lake School for the second time in our 10 year history.  This is a unique and amazing venue and we are incredibly lucky to have access to it.  Last year was our 3^rd time in Shawnigan and our 3^rd course on the property.  This year may be the same.  It might be different. It will be super fun!

Registration. 

We are live.  Don’t panic! 

Registration for each race will close at 7:00pm the night before the race.

Registration for the series will close at 7:00pm the night before the first race (in order to get the series discount).

Here is the link If you want to register for the series:

Series Registration – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/registration/series/?id=835A25A9-85AA-43A4-AA4C-61E118F17631 

For the Individual races go here:

Race 1 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=998
Race 2 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=999
Race 3 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1000
Race 4 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1001
Race 5 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1002
Race 6 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1003
Race 7 – https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=1004

Cross on the Rock Categories 2015 (There have been some changes) and start times.

 License Requirements for Cross on the Rock 2015

 First of all you can race any COTR race without buying a full time license.  See Option #3

 With regards to “What type of license” I need to buy there are three different types that will get you on the start line.

 #1-FIRST TYPE:  UCI International License This license allows you to compete anywhere in Canada or the World, in the race category for each cycling discipline listed on your license.

THESE LICENSES JUST WENT ON SALE (PRO RATED) yesterday on the Cycling BC web site for the remainder of the year.

#2-SECOND TYPE: Citizen License. This license allows you to compete our COTR grassroots races.

#3-THIRD TYPE: Day License $10.  IF you are only going to race less than 5 of the COTR SERIES RACES then you can just pick up a Day-of-Race license (if you are going to race more than 5 then go for Option #2).

OK that is enough to digest and process for now.  Stay tuned for Newsletter #2 coming to your in box later this week with race preview for Coal Cross 2015 “Taking it to the trees”.  Introducing our 2015 series sponsors (we would not have this series without them).  Listing weekly cross clinics and rides (If you have any you know about….let me know and I will list them).

Until then stay tuned on Facebook where all the up-to-date information is posted including amazing posts about Lee Blais

(Our biggest post of all time….no lie!).

• Sept 13: Cumberland – Comox Lake
• Sept 27: Ladysmith – Transfer Beach
• Oct 12: Victoria – Topaz Park
• Oct 25: Victoria – Bear Mountain
• Nov 7: Nanaimo – Beban Park
• Nov 8: Nanoose – Arbutus Meadows
• Nov 15: Shawnigan Lake – Shawnigan Lake School

There is SO much information that it is going to take TWO e-mails this week to send it all out.  Making your in box even more fun than your normal Black Friday flyers (come on people….Black Friday is AMERICAN! trying to get you to shop for things that are not bike or cross related…..so do you really need them?  Probably not!)

This e-mail will cover:  T-Shirts (Last Call) My Little Pony Follow up. Series Follow up. Photo Contest.

The Next e-mail will cover: Looking ahead to 2015.  Where COTR is going. Semi-Prestige Series.  MFG Seattle Race.  And a crash compilation photo special.

OK.  Newsletter……thanks to a few people that have sent me notes in the last couple of days about the series.  It means a lot.  This series is MAJOR:  Putting on 7 races every year with 7 groups of organizers.  548 Racers. Averaging 236 riders per event. 1671 races raced (# or racers X # of times they raced).  In 2006 when we started our own series we had 159 total racers.  Averaged 65 racers per event. 264 races raced on that year.  It continues to grow.  We will talk about “next year” in the next newsletter but in the meantime feel free to send me your ideas and thoughts.  What you liked.  What you did not.  What you would like to see.  We have our ideas (think half track for 7/8/9 year olds)….think “Fasters” (old but still fast masters)….think another double header.  You might have some other viable ideas as well…..we love to hear them. normont@islandnet.com

Check it out: Patrick Burnham’s Photos from My Little Pony Cross:  Check them out:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157649033758628/

Also check out the submissions for our 2014 PHOTO CONTEST HERE (hidden by Roland to a secret gallery): http://photos.rabien.com/Other/Photo-Contest-2014/45889529_NKBSGr

Thanks to our Council of Cross as well as Pro-Photographers Dave Silver and Erik Peterson (in Uzbekistan) for judging the competition.  The judging was TIGHT.  With one judge left we had a 3 way tie between Photo #11, #14 and #18.  After our last judge we still had a tie between #11 and #14.  So one of our KEY personal gave the final vote and #11 from Nick Kupiak won the (100% purchased with CASH) Snow Case from Phillips Brewery.  We did not actually have the photos printed out on site this year but here is the winning photo (more clear obviously on the web site):

Western Speedway and Shawnigan Lake had a tie for 5 photos submissions. Port Alberni next with 3.  The winning photo was from Port Alberni, Farmer Bills.

T Shirts.  LAST CALL!

I am going to put the re-order in for shirts first thing tomorrow (THURSDAY).  IF you want one….this is your LAST CHANCE.  PLEASE E-Mail me by 10:00am!!

This is the Shirt Status:

I have shirts still for pick up for:
Elietha Bocskei
Ian MacLeod
Ben Moore
Robin Dutton
Heath MacHinley
Peter Reid (knows)

Can you guys confirm that you still want these shirts and when, how, where we are going to make it happen.

I have orders for shirts from:
Regan McKeever 1 Kids Med, 1 LG
Monica Eickmeier 1 Kids Med, 1 LG
Geoff Wong Med
Fluffly Med
Mathew O Hagen Small
Gary Croome Med
Bill McMillan Med
Patrick Burnham XL
Colin XL
Corey Friesen XL
Riley Pickrell Med
Sara Ponchet Med (women’s or men’s?)
Dan Owen Med
Justin Baily XL
Carmen Welta. 1 Men’s Small.  1 Women’s Small
Carolyn Moore Men’s Med.
Ritchie Hughes Small
Graeme Coop.  Men’s XL

IF ANYONE ELSE WANTS A SHIRT PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING (By 10:00am)

Series Final-My Little Pony Cross – Sunday.  Arbutus Meadows. Nanoose.

Norm’s Notes
Really.  The best of both worlds.  WET.  Saturated ground.  But racing in short sleeves in November.  Add to that a closed venue.  Epic Mud.  TIGHT racing. Series wrap up.  It was a great day of racing at a great venue.

My Highlights
* The men’s Intermediate race while I was helping with the kids event. At the end of lap 3 I looked over and there were still about 10 guys all together within 20 seconds heading up the road.  Awesome battle!
* Another heavy throw down with Peter Reid and Ken Owen.  I was certain my heart was going to explode.
* And by far my BIGGEST highlight was seeing Lisa Ludwig (Last raced November 22nd 2008), Kristenn Magnusson (Last raced November 24, 2012) and Dawn Anderson (*most wins and most podiums of any COTR racer.  Last races November 24, 2013) line up for the women’s Expert race with 13 other exceptional Expert women making it the biggest Expert Women’s field of the year (outside of Provincial Champs).  
* BIG crowd in the arena for the awards….super positive and fun group!
* 7 years old to 62 years old.  That was the age spread for the Beginner Boys/Men’s category.  55 years difference.  In the women’s 12 to 50.  38 years difference.  This is truly an amazing sport when you can race with someone 55 years older than you!  From 2 years old in the kids race to 71 years old in the masters race.  69 years difference.  All having a great time.  Pretty special!
* Malaika’s Schwinn.  
* Expert women also the only category to finish all starters at MLP!

Not Highlights

* Women’s re-start.  2nd year in a row for miss-direction on this course for this category.  Was really happy the way everyone sorted it out though and got re-started.  Good co-operation and sportsmanship by everyone.

Thanks.

MIVA Notes from President Corey:

Course Setup and Volunteers: a huge turnout, I’d like to think Ron and I putting the word out many times helped this but who knows.  Either way the club did seem to step up and come help out Saturday which was good to see. Ron delegated out tasks to 2-3 groups of us and each worker bee set off, it was efficient..

One thing I’ll say is the timekeeping/stats side of COTR blows my freaking mind.  I love it.  Done so quick so accurate and displayed perfectly on the site.  The whole COTR crew honestly looked PRO, like a finely tuned machine just churning through the races everyone calm and chill.

MIVA Highlight Notes from Race Director Ron:
Ken Olson’s top 5 consistency once he got a proper cx bike. MIVA membership kickin ass and really getting behind MLP. Each race in the entire series gets better each year. COTR has built a culture of improvement and there are no dicks, everyone is fun and supportive. That kid who raced Speedway in jeans and a SS dirtjumper geared way too tall. That picture of his buddy doing a full on faceplant (he was fine btw).  

2014 Series
A great wrap up in the BIG arena after the race for the series.  Major thanks to Peter Creighton from Cycles Lambert for helping me organize the order for the wash kits, Home Hardware in Brooks Landing for getting the buckets in time and Signage for getting the stickers printed in time.  Even BIGGER thanks to Wade Luksay for making the Youth Category prizing happen again this year with his contributions.  AND Jamie Cameron and Paul Brend for the little trophies. Joele for the Shimano brake kit and camera. Kestral Helicopters Mike Gillen.  Brad Head-Zed Wheels and SAM WHITTINGHAM—Naked Frame!! And Phillips for the Growlers and Root Beer.

Tight battles in Expert Men 2nd and 3rd Tie. And Expert Women 2nd and 3rd Tie. 14 points in Intermediate Women 1st and 2nd. 1 point in Intermediate Men 2nd and 3rd.  After 7 races….TIGHT!

It was nice to recognize “the Faithful” that have made the 50 races mark this year:
Derek Steel 52 races
Roland Rabien 51 races
Bill McMillan 50 races

That is some serious experience between that group!!

Rob Parkin wining the Most Improved this year….tough to judge as always with so many people getting better and faster.

Young Riley Pickrell winning Best Rookie Season with his win in U17 at the age of 13!  It will be interesting to see how he goes in Expert next year after winning the Intermediate Category as well as the U17 category. As Mark Nelson described Riley, “I couldn’t believe the power Riley put down on the back stretch on that last lap!  For 13 he can really pedal.”

COTR Series 2014 DONE
Sunday Sept 14 – Cumberland. Coal Cross DONE
Sunday Sept 28 – Victoria. Possible New Venue DONE
Monday Oct 13 – Bowen. Kona Kup.  Provincial Championships DONE
Sunday Oct 19 – Farmer Bills.  Port Alberni DONE
Sunday Nov 2 – Speedway. Binab Property Group GP DONE
Sunday Nov 9 – Shawnigan Lake School. Ronde Von Hogwarts DONE
Sunday Nov 23 – Arbutus Meadows.  My Little Pony Cross.  Series Final DONE
COTR Series 2015-Stay tuned for details in your 2nd e-mail of the week.

Hard to believe but even before this year’s racing is done our dedicated crew of race directors is already planning for 2015.   We have the schedule almost hashed out and we will fire it out in our last e-mail blast of the season.  Knowing it will be our 10th COTR race season as well as with SSXCWC in Victoria….it will be a season to remember for Cyclocross on Vancouver Island.