Cross on the Rock

HOT COTR TOPICS

· Nothing more HOT than this. A Pelle original edit from Kona Kup. Provincial Championships (Sponsored by OBB): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmk9bujMb74

· Bring someone NEW. We all get introduced to cross somehow. Most people it is through a friend or riding partner. This Sunday is the last race of the season. If you have someone that has not raced cross before….that you think would enjoy it. Young or old. Why not bring them. Stick them in the Beginners category. Get them to watch. Just get them out. There is a Pizza Truck!!

· From Scott Mitchell at Pro City Cycles. ! If anyone turns in my Oakley Jawbones I would be very grateful and give them a 6 pack of beer. If not I wish them an eternity of flat tires and last place COTR finishes. White and Black Jawbones with clear lenses. Threw them at my truck during the (Kona Kup) race.

Massive Prizing….MASSIVE.
We have some MAJOR prizing to give away at the final this year. Not the “Volume” of stuff as in past years….BUT there will be some serious QUALITY stuff!
· Winners in Intermediate Men’s and Women’s, Masters, Open Women and Expert….all will get Pearl Izumi Trail Running Shoes
· Winners in Beginner will get helmets.
· Series winners in 13 categories. 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all series categories….prizes.
· Not a prize but we will be giving away the 11 X $200 Travel Grants to youth riders.
· HUGE—ZED Wheels!!!!
· HUGER—-a NAKED Frame with ZED Wheels PRO Bar and Stem
· Howard Johnston GC’s.
YOU GOTTA BE THERE TO WIN!

· Patrick Burnham is going to be doing his COTR Calendar’s again. 12 months of COTR photos. All the $$ go to JR racers.
There will be only 30 of these made: Patrick Burnham palleus@hotmail.com

· More Photos from Kona Kup: http://suehandel.zenfolio.com/p62248077

· Last Nutcase Sponsored Lil’Nutty Kids race this weekend. We have 2 more helmets and a few more bells to give away to our tyke racers!

POSTIVE FEEDBACK. Last Chance for this one guys HEAVY PUSH:

Public Venues are harder and harder to get and keep for our sport as we grow. E-Mails to the right people at the right time make it a LOT easier in the future. Please take a few minutes in the next day and send a note to one or all of the following (Parks and Rec. being the most important).

BCC me on it and we will put you in for another draw (deadline is Thursday night at 6:00pm for this….then I will draw):

#1. The Nanaimo Bulletin has a Bouquets section and their e-mail is: bulletinboard@nanaimobulletin.com

#2 is Nanaimo Parks and Recreation who let us use their park and you can fire those ones to: Elizabeth Williams (Elizabeth.Williams@nanaimo.ca).

#3 is letters to Editor for the Daily News. letters@nanaimodailynews.com

We will go to November 20th for this round. Just letting you know that it does help and is working so thanks to the people that send e-mails.

PHOTO CONTEST.
E-mail me your best photos. No more than 5 per person. Must be submitted no later than 8:00pm, Thursday, November 21st. Winner gets something cool!….not sure what yet.

Ronde Van Hogwarts. Laste Ronde!

Three things to remember for this weekend.
1. Pre-register.
2. Make it to the start line.
3. Make it to the finish line.

As we all know the cross season is WAY too SHORT. There is a LONG-LONG time between now and the next cross race on Vancouver Island (actually we might be having a cross race in June…so stay tuned on that one). So come out and support the series. Have a great time. Finish the season right. The snow and REALLY bad weather will be here soon enough and we will all be dreaming of cross again too quickly.

We were last at Shawnigan Lake School way back in 2009 for the series championships. The following year we were scheduled to finish the series at Shawnigan again but we had a snow storm dumping about a meter of snow in that area and a bunch of their buildings were out of power….it was a mess….so we had to cancel the finals. We are looking forward to returning again to finish off the series this year.

A few BIG rules about the venue;
1. This is a private school. Please as always respect the venue and that we are guest here. Park where directed.
2. Do not ride on the playing fields.
3. No shoes in the club house. Bring indoor flip flops or warm socks for the awards afterwards….we will have the fire going.

Last time we were at Shawnigan in 2009 the category winners were:
Beginner Women: Mary Wakefield
Beginner Men: Liam Farrar
Intermediate Men: Geoff Pendrel
Masters Men: Justin Mark
Open Women: Mical Dyck
Expert: Craig Richey.

There are some notable names in the results that year: http://www.crossontherock.com//php/race-results/?raceid=22

Here is the word from Ian Craib the event director for this event (with notes from me added as well):
Both Cycle Therapy and Experience Cycle have agreed to support the event and donate prizes
Norco will be donating prizes
Bonterra Pizza will be providing food and beverage support. PIZZA!!!!!!!
Oak Bay Bikes (WestShore and Victoria), the principal sponsor of Cross on the Rock has agreed to help where needed
Fernwood Inn will be providing some draw prizes.
Course by Drew Mackenzie: has been approved by the school.
Cleaning station and Shower facilities will be available
Recycling/Garbage arranged
The Pavilion will be used for registration and awards ceremony – NO SHOES
Chopper will be the DJ/Announcer (drummer mechanic from Experience)
Duane M. will be attending to do the
Students are aware of the event but since it is a “leave weekend” (campus will be almost empty of any students and staff)
We will be doing the event awards and then series awards right after the event in the Pavilion Building.

MAP of the venue is in the series guide.

Check out the series points. Roland has done the series points up with the DROP (lowest score) so that you can see where you stand….and who you need to beat this weekend: http://www.crossontherock.com//php/series-results/?series=2013&of=4
There are some TIGHT battles in there!

COTR SHIRTS (Like everything else….LAST CHANCE)

Shirts are re-loaded. I have the following put aside for people:

Drew MacKenzie Large
Simon Pearson Medium
Jamie Emery Medium
Dan Curtis Large
Ian Craib LArge
Barry Remple Medium
Lister Large
Anthony and Paul from Cycle Therapy Medium and LArge
Derek Steel Medium
Paul Underhill 3 Medium
Mistel Dann 2 youth
Chris Goble W’s Small

Inventory left:
Women’s Sm: 1, Medium 8, Large 1, XL 1
Men’s Sm 2, Medium, 7, large 5, XL 1

The shirts are American Apparel. The nice 50/50 shirts as they hold the black colour better than straight cotton and also wick a bit better. Men’s sizing and women’s sizing.

IF YOU WANT A SHIRT put aside e-mail me at normont@islandnet.com

Get NAKED for 2014

If you want to be riding one of these sweet rigs….you already have to be thinking a head to NEXT COTR season.

Check Sam’s bike out this weekend. You will want one….I know I do!!

FIRST AID
We would love to have 4 or 5 heavy blankets in our First Aid kit if anyone has any out there that they could donate please fire me a note and possibly bring to the races this weekend.

$$ for Youth travelling to Nationals. (LAST CHANCE. MUST HAVE APPLICATION BY Wednesday the 20th at 6:00pm)
Past COTR Photo contest winner, Patrick Burnham, did a SWEET calendar last year of 12 of his COTR photos and sold them at the end of the season. He collected the $ for the calendars…..around $500. MEANWHILE down in Victoria Pro City Cycling and the Binab Property Group GP also had a donation from Vista Estates of $500. AND then Tyler Trace put in his prize money from last weekend….another $100. So we have $1100 for 11 X $100 Travel grants for U19 racers. Male or Female. Travelling to National Championships in Surrey at the end of November.

We thought that was ALL But then the Cross Club in Victoria coughed up another $1100 so we will be doing 11 X $200 Grants now!! Get on it JR Racers….get your application in.

This is the list of who we have applications from:

John Willcox
Eve Taylor
James Grant
Mark Grant
Holly Simonson
Tarryn Cote
Sarah Van Dan
Talia Hill
Thomas Hill.
Sage Steed Parikh
Joel Taylor
Eric Diertens
Chris Macleod
Casey Garrison

If you have submitted your application but are not on this list please let us know ASAP.
You MUST be planning on attending and racing at the National Championships in Surrey at the end of the month. If you are not….then you are not eligible for this grant.

Our Criteria:
Must be from the Island, a surrounding Island or Powell River. (If not from an Island…they must be supporting COTR a lot!!)
Must be 18 or under
Someone who supports cross on the rock
Someone who is planning on attending Nationals, or would go if they had the help of the grant.
From there we will do a draw for the 11 grants from the submitted applications.

REGISTRATION for COTR
Pre-registration IS the way to go ALWAYS!

Laste Ronde. Laste Ronde.
Ronde Van Hogwarts Series Championship – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=471

Series is Organized by the Cross Council:
With the following cycling clubs: MIVA, VICC, Trail Bicycles-Eatmore Sprouts Cycling Team, Cowichan Cycling Cartel, ASS and AVR

Supported by:
Oak Bay Bikes in Victoria, Westshore and Nanaimo
Trail Bikes in Courtenay
Experience cycles in Duncan
Cowichan Cycles in Duncan
Cycle Therapy in Duncan
Frontrunners in Nanaimo
Straight Up Cycles in Victoria
Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland
Ozzie’s Cycles in Port Alberni

Supported and Sanctioned by:
Cycling BC

HOT COTR TOPICS – – The Weekend in Review.

Monday and I am hurting far more than normal. A van full of “soft plastic” in bags to curb on recycling day. Very little sleep and legs sore to the touch….but man oh man….what a weekend of cross racing on Vancouver Island!!

One of our COTR regular racers in the ‘Lil Nutcase kids races, 4 year old Benjamin Pechter, is having his heart fixed tomorrow so that he can come back and be even more competitive in the races. We wish him and the Pechter family smooth sailing for this stressful time.

I now understand that it is Aaron Schooler’s goal to win every province in Canada’s provincial cross championship. Maybe even in the same year given the current scheduling. Only a week from winning Alberta’s championship….he comes and win’s B.C.s! Good luck on your new project Aaron!!

Only one more round to go for COTR this year with the series final at Shawnigan Lake School on November 24th. Then National Champs the following weekend and we are d-o-n-e. As anyone that has done the series knows….anything can happen at the last race. Double points. Amazing draw prizes. Race Prizes. Series Prizes. We would LOVE to have a MASSIVE turn out for this race of course….event preview in your in box next week!

Lucky winner of the Phillips 6 pack OR the Rumble 6 Pack for “positive feedback” to Ladysmith is: Denise Mahon

Next “Positive Feedback” is to the City of Nanaimo….Take your pick of 1 of 3- – BCC me on it and we will put you in for another draw: #1. The Nanaimo Bulletin has a Bouquets section and their e-mail is: bulletinboard@nanaimobulletin.com and #2 is Nanaimo Parks and Recreation who let us use their park and you can fire those ones to: Elizabeth Williams (Elizabeth.Williams@nanaimo.ca). #3 is letters to Editor for the Daily News.(letters@nanaimodailynews.com) We will go to November 20th for this round. Just letting you know that it does help and is working so thanks to the people that send e-mails.

A couple of sweet Patrick Burnham Galleries to tie you over for a bit:
My Little Pony up here http://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157637498021653/
Kona Kup here http://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157637498021653/

More to come.

MY LITTLE PONY CROSS. Review
My Little Pony Cross hosted by MIVA.

Norm’s Notes.
Although this race was just on Saturday it seems like it was SO LONG ago now!!

• Sweet Tukes!
• What I really liked about this course was the on and off the bike. That is supposed to be what cross is all about but sometimes it gets lost. Cross is not riding the bike around on the dirt. What makes cross different from all other bike disciplines is that you have to run. The My Little Pony cross was the most running this year. I thought it was great!
• Carey Mark and Charlene Hay winning the Shimano wheel sets. Thanks Shimano!!
• An absolutely great venue.
• Thanks to Peter, MIVA, Roland and Katie, Cheryl and my dad.

Race Director Peter McCaffery’s Highlights:

• Aaron Schooler bunny hopping the finish barriers
• Sam Whittingham’s single speed belt drive bike
• Bill McMillan riding the muddy cross camber
• Roland Rabien’s sexy skin suit
• Janna handing up Nanaimo Bars (Sponsored by Superstore) to riders doing motoring up the paved road.
• One of the girls running a complete lap with her rear derailleur wrapped around her stays,
• Ron Hewitson’s tartan jersey,
• The ding-dong battle between Colleen Wtorek and Charlene Hay,
• Customers walking away from Extreme Eats with large helpings of bacon poutine (YUM),
• Rock music blasting through the ride-through barn.

Thanks to:
COTR crew: Hilary, Roland and Katie, Normon and Wendy, all the extra guys who helped tear down the course.
MIVA Volunteers: Cheryl, Bill, Shepherd, Jason, Phil, Janna, Ron, Menno,
Slow Spokes Volunteers: Al , Keith, Gary, Nigel
And my long time partner in bike races: Dave Kenny

Super thanks to: Culverden Holdings Ltd., Arbutus Meadows Equestrian Centre Ltd.

KONA KUP. Provincial Championships. Review
Hosted by Oak Bay Bikes Nanaimo.

If you have not checked out the results for this event yet it includes all the lap splits…providing you did not ruin your timing chip…or even if you did we may have been able to re-produce them with the help of our master timers Hilary Grant and Corey Piket doing the manual back up to Mark Nelson’s Race Day timing fancy computer system.

Norm’s Notes:
A bit of a tougher race for us to put on than a normal COTR race. First the schedule was tighter with 5 separate starts vs. our normal 3. More categories on course at once. At one time with the youth categories we had 5 separate age groups racing at once. Provincial champs….so tougher competition. A backed up toilet. Racers that can not break the habit of crumpling up their number even when the timing chip on it says “do not fold”……which in turn destroys the timing chip making it impossible for them to be timed….which makes getting accurate results very-very difficult. Even after 10 years we are still learning.

Highlights:

• The number of kids racing. By far this was the biggest highlight of the day. We have pushed CBC this year to drop the license requirement for provincials and add 6 more categories for youth going from 2 to 8. The result was more than 55 kids racing Provincial Champs!! I think the youngest was 10. Cross is such an easy-in for kids and parents to the world of cycling so it was really encouraging to see that support from the young racers as well as the parents.
• The line up at the Wanna Wafel cart….man the scent from those taunted me all through the day until after my race when I could finally have one (OK I had 3!).
• I echo Corey’s highlight below. The U17 men’s race was pretty cool to watch.
• I also heard that the Masters men 35-44 race was wicked….but I was in my own hell during that one.
• Opposite of “highlights”…quad cramps going up the switchback climb on LAP 2 with 4 more times up there to go. Apparently race directing is not perfect prep.
• Tayden DePol on the podium in U13 in his third race.
• The U13 Girls Podium re-do.
• Phillips Growlers and the awards table.
• Medals from Jamie Cameron and prep’ed by Roland any my mom.
• The number of spectators that came out. Bigger crowd that National Champs in Nanaimo in 2006.
• Roanne English missed her start for the Open Women’s race….by a fair bit. Rather than pout about it she pulled on her big girl bike shorts and raced in the main event. Nice touch Roanne!
• 70 year old Derek Steel……still beating up on guys 15 years younger…….usually he beats up on guys 25 years younger in the regular COTR races.
• Special thanks to KONA Staffer, Dale Plant, for making the trip up from Bellingham….and then kicking my ass!

Extra thanks to (aside from the ones that Corey has):

• Oak Bay Bikes Nanaimo and their crew.
• Ann and Rollin Thibault.
• City of Nanaimo
• Nanaimo Parks and rec and their tourism grant program
• Race Day Timing
• Wanna Wafel
• All the wicked spectators that came out.

Corey’s Highlights:
The highlights would be watching James Grant break his chain on Lap #1. Run it in. Wendy Simms’ KONA bike appearing out of the crowd for him to continue. Him pitting again at the end of lap 2 to get the saddle raised an inch and coming back for the sprint win right at the finish line in the under 17s.

• Giving away a Kona Jake the Snake!! Thanks KONA.
• Giving away a SWEET Garmin 810. Thanks Lambert!!
• Giving away a Ridley Frameset. Thanks Oak Bay Bikes!!d

Thanks to:

• Hillary Grant for managing the finish line.
• Dan and Kevin for doing the food.
• The buzz coffee for coffee and hot chocolate.
• Cheryl Morch who is becoming the “Hillary” of registration.
• Paul Thompson, Shepard Stewart, Derek Steel, Christine Lynch, Matt Dawes, Jamie Steele, Kevin Brown, Dan Curtis and Ron Hewitson for set up.
• Mike Pollock and Terry from Gabriola for keeping a close eye on the course in the day.

Hope I didn’t forget anyone.

The city for letting us use the park and the cross on the rock series for being so organized and making it easy!

Also all the people who helped with tear down…..re

That was fast! (Norm’s note. Series best for tear down. My little pony beat Ladysmith and then Kona Kup beat my little pony….it is getting quicker and quicker)

Kona, Lambert, Phillips, Rumble and the Howard Johnston.

That is an awards table!!

COTR SHIRTS
We sold quite a few COTR T’s this weekend. In fact we will have to do another round of printing as I sold out of Large Men’s and had allocated 2 that were now gone from the box…..and I don’t want to make these two people mad!!

The shirts are American Apparel. The nice 50/50 shirts as they hold the black colour better than straight cotton and also wick a bit better. Men’s sizing and women’s sizing.

So this is what we have left.
Women’s: 1 Small, 8 Medium, 1 Large.
Men’s: 4 Medium

I have shirts held for: Jamie Emery, Simon Pearson and Drew MacKenzie. I owe shirts to: Dan Curtis and Ian Craib which I will have made up.

IF YOU WANT A SHIRT put aside from what we have OR would like us to count you in on the re-print let me know.

We also did a very small number of kids sized shirts without the “Bacon, beer, bikes” on the bottom and just the COTR and the skull on the top. We might be able to get those as well if you would like one.

$20 for Adults
$15 for kids.

e-mail me at normont@islandnet.com

Get NAKED for 2014

If you want to be riding one of these sweet rigs….you already have to be thinking a head to NEXT COTR season.

FIRST AID
We would love to have 4 or 5 heavy blankets in our First Aid kit if anyone has any out there that they could donate please fire me a note and possibly bring to the races this weekend.

MORE $$$$$ for Juniors/Youth $$$$$$$ (LAST CHANCE)

Past COTR Photo contest winner, Patrick Burnham, did a SWEET calendar last year of 12 of his COTR photos and sold them at the end of the season. He collected the $ for the calendars…..around $500. MEANWHILE down in Victoria Pro City Cycling and the Binab Property Group GP also had a donation from Vista Estates of $500. AND then Tyler Trace put in his prize money from last weekend….another $100. So we have $1100 for 11 X $100 Travel grants for U19 racers. Male or Female. Travelling to National Championships in Surrey at the end of November.

We thought that was ALL But then the Cross Club in Victoria coughed up another $1100 so we will be doing 11 X $200 Grants now!! Get on it JR Racers….get your application in.

So far (as of October 31, 2013) we have received 6 applications; James Grant, Mark Grant.Holly Simonson, Tarryn Cote, Sarah Van Dam, Talia Hill and Thomas Hill. (and 2 more this past weekend…have to locate them but we should be up to 8).

Our Criteria:

• Must be from the Island, a surrounding Island or Powell River. (If not from an Island…they must be supporting COTR a lot!!)
• Must be 18 or under
• Someone who supports cross on the rock
• Someone who is planning on attending Nationals, or would go if they had the help of the grant.
• From there we will do a draw for the 11 grants from the submitted applications.

We will have forms at the races and since you have to support the series to apply…..that should work well. Submit back to people at registration please.

REGISTRATION for COTR
Pre-registration IS the way to go ALWAYS!

Laste Ronde. Laste Ronde.
Ronde Van Hogwarts Series Championship – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=471

GUIDE to LOCAL CROSS RACES, RIDES and PRACTICES
In Victoria:
Cross Underground….Done for the year. Thanks to everyone that came out to make this series legend-d-airy!

In Nanaimo:
M.I.V.A. keep your eyes on their site/FB page or find out their secret handshake if you want to get out with these guys in Nanaimo.
Sometimes you can show up, wait inside where it is warm and they roll up and out without you….as Bill McMillan.

In Courtenay:
Trail Bicycles in Courtenay, meet at 5:30 every Wednesday for 1-2 hours of riding.

Series is Organized by the Cross Council:
With the following cycling clubs: MIVA, VICC, Trail Bicycles-Eatmore Sprouts Cycling Team, Cowichan Cycling Cartel, ASS and AVR

Supported by:
Oak Bay Bikes in Victoria, Westshore and Nanaimo
Trail Bikes in Courtenay
Experience cycles in Duncan
Cowichan Cycles in Duncan
Cycle Therapy in Duncan
Frontrunners in Nanaimo
Straight Up Cycles in Victoria
Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland
Ozzie’s Cycles in Port Alberni

Supported and Sanctioned by:
Cycling BC

HOT COTR TOPICS – – Hotest of Hot. Provincial Championships.

The registration deadline is Friday at 7:00pm but please don’t keep us all nervous. Register today: http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=475

If you are a regular COTR racer but only have a citizen license (or even a day of race) and think it is a BIG expense to upgrade for one race (and possibly National Champs). Think about this: first….the cost to travel to Vancouver for all other Provincial Champs. WAY WAY more expensive. AND the chance to race all the guys from the mainland….priceless!

Some History: We started by putting on a big underground race in January of 2003. Then the first official cross races on the island in the fall of 2003 and fall of 2004. In 2005 we started the BC CX Cup hosting 2 races. 2005 was a dark time for cycling in BC and we broke from the BC Cup the following year but we hosted the National Champs in Nanaimo. Since that time. Since 2006 the Island has been on their own. Doing the Cross on the Rock Series. Growing Cyclocross. Building racers at all levels.

This weekend we make history again hosting the Provincial Cyclocross Championships for the first time on Vancouver Island.

We want to show B.C. and Canada that we have the best ‘cross scene in the country.

So please come out. Support the race by racing (sign up). Support the race by cheering for your fellow COTR racers (we are one team for Sunday). Help out if you can. Buy a wafel. Rake some corners and collect some flagging. Not only would it be sweet to beat last year’s provincial champs for participation (207). But it would be sweet to beat every province.

Please sign up (Deadline Friday 7:00)

If you can help out with Set up on Sunday or Tear Down. Please fire Corey from OBB-Nanaimo an e-mail at cpiket68@hotmail.com or even better….fire him a text at 250-714-5711

MORE DETAILS:

• Draw Prizes at the Kona Kup. Because it is Provincial Champs we are more focused on the races rather than prizing for this one. Well…..we do have that one thing…..a full Kona Jake the Snake from OBB to draw for. Oh Yeah we have that other thing too….a Ridley Fenix frameset from OBB….and hotel rooms from the Howard Johnston. OK we have a couple of things.
• YOUTH RACERS: We pushed Cycling BC HARD this year to get a FULL slate of youth Categories for this year’s Provincial Champs. We pushed them again to allow any bike and make the NEVER BEFORE exception to allow day-of-race licenses for Provincial Championships to encourage all riders under 19 to come out. PLEASE if you are a YOUTH cross rider. Support this race and show Cycling BC AND Canadian Cycling that is it worth it to include these categories at a Championship event. Right now….they (Canadian Cycling) don’t support it much….so we have to show them that it is worth it!
• Women Masters racers. We pushed (again) to have more than 1 category for Women Masters racers at Provincial Champs……if you are a women masters racer….please show those guys that it is worth it to have more than one category for masters women.

F.A.Q. with regards to the Kona Kup. Provincial Champs.

1. Can I race without a license? Yes. If you are a youth you can race with a day of race license (which COTR is covering for this race so no additional cost).

   If you are an adult you can race the OPEN race without a license. If you want to race the championship categories you can either: 1. Buy a UCI late season license : http://cyclingbc.net/cycling-bc/members/. That will take them to CCN where they can purchase a late season for $99. This would allow you to race the championship category at Provincials Champs as well as National Champs in South Surrey at the end of the month. OR if you have a Citizen License already you can 2. Contact Cycling BC by e-mail or over the phone and pay the upgrade to a late season UCI license (like Sam Whittingham).

2. Will there be Wafels? YES there will.
3. Will there be Chili. Yes there will be. The Nanaimo MTB Club is hosting some Chili.
4. I am a beginner….what category should I race? You should probably do the OPEN race and have a great time. BUT you can also race your age group and give it a go!
5. Is the course marked. No it is not. And PLEASE do not ride all over where you think the course might go before Sunday. It is a wet week and we want to try to keep the course in as best shape as we can before the race. Because this is a public park we can not set the course up a head of time. It is also a very busy park so please be attentive to other users.
6. Who is the Provincial Champion? The first person in each of the Championship Categories that is from BC is the Champ.
7. Is the KONA KUP OPEN race the unofficial Single Speed Provincial Championships? Yes it is.
8. Is there a kids race? No. No kids race at this event as we have a LOT going on and want to be focused on the Kona Kup and making this a solid event. There is a kids race the day before at My Little Pony Cross.
9. Can I register on the day? No. Registration closes on Friday at 7:00pm.
10. Can I pick up my number early? Yes you can out at My Little Pony cross after 11:30

There are a few important differences from Provincials to regular COTR races:

• We have increased the categories at Provincial Champs from 11 categories in 2012 to 17. Added are: U13, U15, U17 Mens and Womens. Masters Women 45+. Masters Men 55+. Modified are the masters age categories from 30-39 Mens and 30+ for womens to 35-44 and 45-54 Mens and 35-44 womens. IMPORTANT. For Provincial Champs and National Champs it is your age at the END of 2014. So your category may be different from what you race at COTR or what you have raced all year.
• Youth at Provincial Champs. In co-operation with Cycling BC we are trying to maximize our youth participation at Provincial Champs. Normally you would need a UCI license to race Provincials but this year they are going to allow anyone with any license to race. Which means if you have a citizen, uci or day of race license you can do provincials if you are U19 years of age.
• The Challenge/Open/All comers races at Provincial Champs are for those that are more beginner to the sport or don’t have a UCI license (adults) or don’t want to race it the championship events. So anyone can race on that day.
• You can use a MTB in ALL categories EXCEPT Elite Men and Elite Women. MTB’s are NOT allowed at the National Champs at the end of November in South Surrey.

Need a hotel room for Saturday night? Check the race guide for contacts but a great deal can be found at the Howard Johnston in Nanaimo.

Do NOT fold or alter your race number for this event. They will have timing chips on them and if you mess with them…then no splits and really if you don’t have a time…you were not there!

(Numbers on the LEFT for Kona Kup)

MY LITTLE PONY CROSS: PREVIEW.

We get bugged every year to have more DOUBLE HEADERS. So we have one again this year…..we hope it is worth it! (I am sure we will do full stats on it after the races).

My Little Pony Cross hosted by MIVA.

My Little Pony Cross – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=470

Our first time using Arbutus Meadows for a cross race. MIVA has had the course marked all week and have received feedback and changed sections….more feedback…etc. It should be dialed for Saturday.

PLEASE NOTE: There is Soccer in the Main Barn until noon. So please park where designated and do not use the main barn for changing or washrooms until we are allowed to use it. There will be 200 kids plus parents on the grounds so heads up.

DRAW PRIZES: SHIMANO WHEELS!!!!!!!! Gotta be there!

Food: Food truck coming.

This race will be a great chance to blow out the legs. Get them ready for Sunday. Most importantly to get some points for the series!

You will also be able to pick your race number up for Sunday’s Kona Kup AFTER the main rush of registration is gone….lets say after 11:30am

NEW: We have 2 sets of 10S Rim Brake Shimano DURA ACE wheels that will be in the pits for NEUTRAL SUPPORT. I will have them marked so if you need them during the race you can just roll in. (unless they are gone). If you have disc brakes OR 11S…..just fire it in there and go brakeless and/or find a gear that might work to make it to the finish line. Thanks Shimano for those!!

NOTE: Kids race is at 12:30 as it was at Ladysmith.

COTR SHIRTS

We posted a photo of this year’s limited edition COTR shirts on our Face Book page yesterday. If you want us to hold one until this weekend fire me a note with your size (men’s and women’s) for Americal Apparel shirts.

LADYSMITH FOLLOW UP – – LAST CHANCE

We are a bit short on this and it would be great to get at least 20 more e-mails to Clayton before the weekend.

THIS IS WHERE CYCLOCROSS PR/Politics COMES INTO PLAY AGAIN: If you enjoyed the event, it would be fabulous if you sent a quick email off to Clayton Postings at Ladysmith Parks and Recreation at cpostings@ladysmith.ca. As before. Cc me on it and we will draw for a 6 pack of Phillips or Rumble. Must be done before My Little Pony Cross. So we will do a cut off of Friday at noon for the draw. Of course you can keep sending him notes after.

FIRST AID

We would love to have 4 or 5 heavy blankets in our First Aid kit if anyone has any out there that they could donate please fire me a note and possibly bring to the races this weekend.

COTR #4: PHOTOS and Edits.

Pelle has been sick and busy since Ladysmith so no edit yet. He is coming up to Provincial Champs this weekend so HOPEFULLY we will have two for next week.

In the meantime I had a note from Ross Robinson that had some photos of the Cumberland race from this year and just let me know. Relive the magic:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosstrpt/sets/72157637236256356/

Don’t forget we have a photo contest annually for COTR. So save your best.

MORE $$$$$ for Juniors/Youth $$$$$$$ (Updated-again)

Past COTR Photo contest winner, Patrick Burnham, did a SWEET calendar last year of 12 of his COTR photos and sold them at the end of the season. He collected the $ for the calendars…..around $500. MEANWHILE down in Victoria Pro City Cycling and the Binab Property Group GP also had a donation from Vista Estates of $500. AND then Tyler Trace put in his prize money from last weekend….another $100. So we have $1100 for 11 X $100 Travel grants for U19 racers. Male or Female. Travelling to National Championships in Surrey at the end of November.

We thought that was ALL But then the Cross Club in Victoria coughed up another $1100 so we will be doing 11 X $200 Grants now!! Get on it JR Racers….get your application in.

So far (as of October 31, 2013) we have received 6 applications; James Grant, Mark Grant.Holly Simonson, Tarryn Cote, Sarah Van Dam, Talia Hill and Thomas Hill.

Our Criteria:

• Must be from the Island, a surrounding Island or Powell River. (If not from an Island…they must be supporting COTR a lot!!)
• Must be 18 or under
• Someone who supports cross on the rock
• Someone who is planning on attending Nationals, or would go if they had the help of the grant.
• From there we will do a draw for the 11 grants from the submitted applications.
• We will have forms at the races and since you have to support the series to apply…..that should work well. Submit back to people at registration please.

REGISTRATION for COTR

Pre-registration IS the way to go ALWAYS!

Provincial Championships registration is live: http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=475

Links to the individual COTR races are here:

My Little Pony Cross – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=470
Ronde Van Hogwarts Series Championship – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=471

GUIDE to LOCAL CROSS RACES, RIDES and PRACTICES

In Victoria:

Cross Underground….Done for the year. Thanks to everyone that came out to make this series legend-d-airy!

In Nanaimo:

M.I.V.A. keep your eyes on their site/FB page or find out their secret handshake if you want to get out with these guys in Nanaimo.

Sometimes you can show up, wait inside where it is warm and they roll up and out without you….as Bill McMillan.

In Courtenay:

Trail Bicycles in Courtenay, meet at 5:30 every Wednesday for 1-2 hours of riding.

Series is Organized by the Cross Council:

With the following cycling clubs: MIVA, VICC, Trail Bicycles-Eatmore Sprouts Cycling Team, Cowichan Cycling Cartel, ASS and AVR

Supported by:
Oak Bay Bikes in Victoria, Westshore and Nanaimo
Trail Bikes in Courtenay
Experience cycles in Duncan
Cowichan Cycles in Duncan
Cycle Therapy in Duncan
Frontrunners in Nanaimo
Straight Up Cycles in Victoria
Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland
Ozzie’s Cycles in Port Alberni

Supported and Sanctioned by:
Cycling BC

Normon Thibault
E-Mail: normont@islandnet.com
Frontrunners-Nanaimo
www.frontrunners.ca