Cross on the Rock

HOT COTR TOPICS

Some new statistics.
You know that Roland and I love to track and follow what is going on with COTR. We have the stats page on the web site (under results) so that you can follow along too. This week Roland added a new stat: Biggest categories.

Masters Men from BPGGP was larger than 7 COTR races. Coal Cross (2006, 2007, 2008) Cowboy Cross (2006), NISSCCOTU (2009), Diver Lake (2006), Jungle Cross (2007)

At one point last Monday we had 86 on course at once (Intermediate M/W). Which is bigger or equal to 17 COTR races.

LAST CHANCE FOR THIS (WILL DRAW FOR BEER (Or RUMBLE) FRIDAY NIGHT)

Thanks to everyone that has sent notes so far. Politics. It just takes 2 minutes and it makes our job MUCH easier!! For each of our race venues there are usually many levels that we need to go through in order to use the venue and then many more in order to return to
the venue. For some reason….some people just don’t like us. They see the park with “Brown up” or a bit muddy and then can’t see ahead to when the course will be back to normal again as it always is. Some people will complain. Some people ALWAYS complain. As you know the seized-from-cumberland-mud hub will get the grease. Help us grease our way back to Cumberland next year and beyond. Fire a note of appreciation and thanks to: Kevin McPhedran at kmcphedran@cumberland.ca . I will make it worth your while. CC me and I will put everyone’s name in for a 12 pack of Phillips or Rumble (depending on age and preferences). Thanks for your help. DRAW TONIGHT!!

Pre-Register. (That one is self explanatory)

Get fired up for Farmer Bills

$$$$$ for Juniors/Youth $$$$$$$

If you did not catch this before:
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.

Our Criteria will be:

• 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.
• Application Forms can be downloaded here.

COTR #2: Binab Property Group GP at Western Speedway.

Bike Shop Challenge was won this year by Mich Thacker. Bragging rights for the WHOLE YEAR!!

Kids races. 35 kids and a devious course that was build by someone that does not have kids!! I wanted to race it!

RECORD TURN OUT.

The Winner of the Trek CX Bike from Pro City Cycling was: Clayton Webb also had the distinction of being the top Singlespeeder this day in Intermediate. Clayton also helped out most of the day when he was not racing. An awesome thanks goes to Paul Underhill from our sponsor RUMBLE who won the bike after doing his first cross race earlier in the day but put the bike back in the prize pool for someone else as he had just purchased a new cross bike. Our sponsors are incredible!

COTR #2: LIVE ACTION and PHOTOS

Pelle opens up his 2013 COTR edit season with this one: 

Russel Berg catches the action here:

Jon Waltkins says “Watch out Pelle” with this one: Actually I can’t link it as it is on his FB page. That is how he gets friends on FB apparently.

Regan Pringle’s Shots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/reganpringleshoots/sets/72157636622294524/
Brad Head (Zed Wheels) behind the lens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zedwheels/sets/72157636596737535/
Have not seen anything from Patrick yet.

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

Norm’s Notes from COTR#2: Binab Property Group GP

• It is Friday and my van is still not unloaded from Monday and I have to pack for Sunday.
• The Masters group is insane this year. With a bunch of masters racing in Expert and the level of competition in the actual Masters category PLUS all those 39 year olds that will be turning 40 in 2014 and because of the UCI’s stupid age the following year rule….Provincial and National champs this year will be….well….insane!
• Where is Ian Smith?
• The return of Peter Stevenson….fair weather Cyclocross racer.
• The number of kids
• The number of spectators
• Rennat’s wafels….so freaken GREAT!
• Beer.
• Do NOT like it when ambulances come to COTR…..be careful.
• GREAT course.
• Another jump.
• Jennifer on the megaphone.
• A big DISLIKE to people pre-riding DURING other’s races.
• DJ with Big Audio Dynamite
• Victoria HoJo.

Race Director Roland gives thanks to:

A huge thank you to all the racers and spectators who made the Binab Property Group GP the biggest CotR event to date. You are the reason we host these races.

Thank you to all the business that supported the race. Support those who support us.

• Title Sponsor: Jason Binab of Binab Property Group
• Presenting Sponsor: Trek Bicycle Store Victoria
• Flyover Sponsor: Rasmus Rabien of Razu Welding
• Prize Sponsors: Vista Estates, Broadmead Physiotherapy, Mike Tuckey of Green/Horwood/Tuckey, L’Hermitage Boutique Hotel, Marriot Hotel, Cactus Club, Luv Hair Salon, Erin Anderson of Beyond Fitness, Phillips Beer, Accent Inns, Jasper Blake of B78, Kharma Design Studio
• Choux Choux Charcuterie, DJ Sean Cunningham, Wannawafel, Rumble,
• Westshore Motocross

And all our volunteers:

• Race Committee: Scott Mitchell, Sylvia Storry, Peter Wellsman, Jason Binab
• Results: Katie Duncan-Rabien & Jen Dosil
• In the timing tent: As always Hilary Grant with help from Andrea, Sherri & her daughter
• Registration: Laura Cook, Leah Tennent, Glenowyn Carlson
• Kids Race: Cristyna Jones, Martina Edney, Danielle Stevens
• Beer Garden: Sabrina Macleod, Christyna Jones
• Course Setup / Destruction: Scott Mitchell, Mitch Thacker, Peter Wellsman, Troy Woodburn, Drew Mackenzie, Joele Guynup, Richard & Laura Cook, Joel Taylor, Halldor Gunnarsson, Ed Thacker, Tom Skinner, Jeff Doyle, Clay Webb, Vanessa Service, Mike Houston, Terry McCall, Cam Maysmith, Jamie Cameron, Jen Erlendson, Denise Mahon, JP Robinson, Christyna Jones, Dave Pfaffenberger, Parker Bloom, Leif Keithly, Curtis Schlossberger, Shannon Baerg, Mical Dyck
• Keg disposal: Cam & Jeff
• A bit of everything: Norm & Wendy, Katie, Mike Houston, Ed Thacker, Bill Fry

To those I missed or helped unnoticed: Thank you. Your help is always appreciated.

COTR #3: Farmer Bills in Port Alberni.

Returning to Farmer Bill’s farm for the second time. Fourth time in Port Alberni.

After last year’s event one of our racers commented that going to the event was one of the highlights of his entire life. That is how much fun it was. While we unfortunately will not have the saturated mud bath of last year….which is too bad. I am sure Lee will have it all dialed and super fun.

Course Description:
Not 100% sure what Lee has planned for us this year. Last year we had mud, mud, a barn, hay bails, mud, dirt road, mud and dirt.

What to expect? Well since you are in P.A. you can usually expect ASS.

REGISTRATION for COTR

Pre-registration IS the way to go ALWAYS!

Links to the individual races are here:

Farmer Bill’s Cattle X-ing – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=468
Crosstoberfest – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=469
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….if you live in Victoria and don’t know about this “practice” on Wednesday nights…you gotta get on it!

In Nanaimo:
M.I.V.A. slipped in an extra CX practice this week but did not tell anyone…..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. M.I.V.A. has already finished their practices for the year but there have
been some rides going. Keep an eye on their FB page to stay up to date.

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

HOT COTR TOPICS

We are a compassionate bunch. We take care of our cross community. We don’t ride over someone when they have wiped out. We help out…..so I am asking all our riders and friends. Don’t kick a course when it is down!The Coal Cross course had a beat down for COTR#1 after days of downpour. Instead of letting the course heal up people are still riding it. Fresh tracks yesterday in the deep mud from over the weekend. PLEASE let all our courses recover or our events will not be allowed back at those venues.

Politics. It just takes 2 minutes and it makes our job MUCH easier!! For each of our race venues there are usually many levels that we need to go through in order to use the venue and then many more in order to return to the venue. For some reason….some people just don’t like us. They see the park with “Brown up” or a bit muddy and then can’t see ahead to when the course will be back to normal again as it always is. Some people will complain. Some people ALWAYS complain. As you know the seized-from-cumberland-mud hub will get the grease. Help us grease our way back to Cumberland next year and beyond. Fire a note of appreciation and thanks to: Kevin McPhedran at kmcphedran@cumberland.ca . I will make it worth your while. CC me and I will put everyone’s name in for a 12 pack or Phillips or Rumble (depending on age and preferences). Thanks for your help.

Pre-Register. (That one is self explanatory)

COTR #1: COAL CROSS (Review and re-visit)

From RD Lisa Ludwig.
Thanks so much for making this year a smooth success. We really appreciate all that you (and the little woman) do so much. I had a few compliments on the race being well organized but that really is all of us working together, so thank you from Curtis and I.

Our other thanks go to our amazing volunteers, who I am sure are reeling in the cyclocross hangover that we experienced as the monsoon beat over our heads last night…

•  Nicole Rippel, Sara Cherewaty and Andrea Keenan (registration)
• Hilary Grant, Colin Wilson (timing)
• the sages of result-dom – Katie and Roland
• Matt Powsey (MC)
• Damien and Amanda (DJs)
• Alicia Saunders (kids race, et al.)
• Ryan, Tristan, Gary and Jeff Beeston from Trail Bikes (course set-up and perfection of the ghetto canyon jump transition)
• Comox Valley Cycle Club minions (and mom Andrea)
• Amanda, Carmen and Glenn Wakeling at Eatmore Sprouts
• UROC, Riding Fool Hostel, DCC, Mtn City Cycle for tent and table loaners
• Coal Hills BMX and their concession
• No “off-switch” Norm
• Rollie Thibault (peanut gallery/comic relief)
• and everyone else who did little things to help us with course set up/take down – you all made this so easy! Thank you!

Retail and Prizing:

• A huge thanks for their generous contributions: Trail Bikes and Steve Pukesh from Norco Bikes
• Seeds Natural Foods for Kids’ refreshments
• Dark Side Chocolates for the kids’ race CHOCOLATE medals
• Blue Toque Sports Consignment, Courtenay, BC
• Dodge City Cycles, Cumberland, BC
• Sam Whittingham and Naked Bikes, Quadra Island
• Ride Coffee, Quadra Island Cyclery
• Archie Pateman (Cumberland Crate Company; Cumberland Brothers Bluegrass)
• Mt. Washington Alpine Resort

Congrats to all the participants on toughing out the ominous forecast and staining your pristine racing kit. You impressed us all; our voices are hoarse to prove it. Thanks for supporting our event and hope to see you next year!

Ride on, Lisa Ludwig and Curtis Saunders

COTR #1: PHOTOS

Here are some links to revisit COTR#1 and get fired up for this Monday.

From Scott Mitchell:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bicyclepuller/sets/72157636056130395/

From Patrick Burnham:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157636037125094/

From Regan Pringle:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/reganpringleshoots/sets/72157636137419016/with/10063346234

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

Norm’s Notes from COTR#1: Coal Cross.

• So great to see everyone after a LONG 9 months. The season is looking great with category and individual battles already shaping up.
• It does not matter how much warning I give….the BMX track always claims someone.
• Mud is awesome!
• The spirit over by the jump with the fire pit and sausage handups…..it was pretty fricken cool!
• I am out of shape.
• Even being out of shape….cross is so fun!

COTR #2: The Binab Property Group GP

Returning to Western Speedway for it’s 2nd year! This time we’re turning it up to 11.

NOTES: Bike shop EMPLOYEE CHALLENGE. Send your best. Send your worst. Send your hungover. The GLORY will be yours (probably not…the glory will be someone’s).

Course Description:
Call up? It does not matter this time…….the race starts on the motocross track — 50 wide. After the horn, give it 100% to get the holeshot and the best position for the first few corners. Exit the motocross track and onto the oval, hit an optional jump (select categories only) before choosing your line in the tire dual slalom course. A sweeping turn into the infield sends you through the barrel maze and then under the flyover. Sprint around the oval and then in boggy grass. Get your speed up and then over the flyover. Through the parking lot, down into the pit of doom and up along the fence line before dropping back into the motocross track.

One tough lap.

Highlights (other than the aforementioned awesome race course):

• Cash prizes for top male and female racers.
• Top 3 in each category receive an aluminum skull.
• Trek Bicycle Store will be giving away a Trek CrossRip as the grand draw prize.
• Before the intermediate race there will be the bike shop challenge. One hotter than hot lap for all the glory. Bike shop employees only.
• DJ Sean Cunningham will be spinning tunes. SEAN CUNNINGHAM!!!
• Kids race has moved onto the motorcross track! Last year we were too easy on them.
• Luke from Choux Choux Charcuterie will be providing turkey handups.
• Renaat will be serving authentic Belgian waffles.
• Paul from Rumble will be on-site, racing and sampling.
• There will (hopefully) be a tiki bar serving beer.
• Westshore MX will be serving food and drink.

Expect Ridiculousness.

Win this man with a bike!

$$$$$ for Juniors/Youth $$$$$$$
Past COTR Photo contest winner, Patrick Burnham, did a SWEET calendar last year of 12 of his COTR photos and sold them at the end of the season. He collected the $ for the calendars…..around $500. This $$$ is going to be used as travel bursaries for juniors or youth going to Nationals at the end of November in South Surrey. We are not 100% sure on how we will split it up yet but are thinking 10 bursaries of $50 each to help out 10 families. I will get criteria, names and applications some time in November and firm up details but in the meantime….thanks PATRICK!!

REGISTRATION for COTR

Pre-registration IS the way to go ALWAYS!

Links to the individual races are here:

Binab Property Group GP –http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=467
Farmer Bill’s Cattle X-ing –http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=468
Crosstoberfest – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=469
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

LICENSES for COTR….what you need.

Make sure you have your license in order (See guide for more information) for the series OR just bring an extra $10. The extra $10 works for ALL races EXCEPT Provincial Champs.

GUIDE to LOCAL CROSS RACES, RIDES and PRACTICES

In Victoria:
Cross Underground….if you live in Victoria and don’t know about this “practice” on Wednesday nights…you gotta get on it!

In Nanaimo:
M.I.V.A. has already finished their practices for the year but there have been some rides going. Keep an eye on their FB page to stay up to date.

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

HOT COTR TOPICS

Before we get into the Veggies and potatoes of this Newsletter I really want to give a shout to Jim Pearson. Jim has been involved with cycling on Vancouver Island through Avia West, Parkside and Pacific Shores for years and years. He has donated prizes. Helped with accommodations. Supported teams. Been lead or support sponsor. He has done a LOT for COTR. The economic downturn has really effected the Pearson’s and their business. We want to say “Thank You” for all the support they have given our community over the years.

It was great to see many of our COTR racers getting their last of the summer fitness goals and base training done at the MOMAR race in Cumberland last weekend. I like to get my whole race base done in one day too! It was a great event with a great after party. Cumberland hosting two awesome events in 2 weekends!

CHANGES THIS YEAR TO THE SERIES

Sharp eyes reading over the series guide will spot a number of changes to this year’s series. For those that do not pay as much attention as the super-fans I will summarize them here.

• More categories. We have added a number of series categories for the overall series rankings. Added this year: Masters women 40+ (Racing with Intermediate). Youth U13 and Youth U15 (Racing with Beginner). Youth U17 (Racing with Intermediate). If you fall within those categories but want to race “up” it is not a problem you just will not be ranked for those categories. For example if you are an over 40 women but maybe race the occasional Expert race. It is fine. Or if you are a super fast 14 year old and want to race Intermediate. Also good. You just don’t qualify for those categories but we would rather you are challenged!
• More Points. Roland worked out a new points schedule that we will try this year. With the growth of our series we found that we had too many people ending up with 2 point per event. How are you going to prove your supremacy over your buddies if you all getting 2 points even though you “crushed” him/her? Well we have fixed that. We also gave the top finishers a few more points as we all know how hard it is to get 1st vs to get 10th…..well every place is hard to get really as this is cross….but we will try out this points schedule this year and see how it goes. Good luck!
• Pre-Registration. We tried it last year and honestly it just makes EVERYTHING so much EASIER that we can’t deny it. Pre-Register PLEASE! It saves you a couple of bucks and it makes it a LOT easier for us. If you wait until day-of-race it just costs you ashtray change of $5 extra.

SERIES GUIDE

Now posted on the web site. This guide has ALL the information for the WHOLE series such as; Description of course, how to get there, categories, where it the closest hospital, accommodations……it should be in there!

Online: Read now.

There is some information missing for a few races later in the season so we
will update it when we have that information and let people know when it is
updated.

THIS IS YOUR SERIES

COTR has grown because people come out. They race. They have a good time. They tell their friends. Then they drag their friends out. That is how we do it. We want it to be successful. We want the women’s categories to grow. We want people to have a great time. We want to be #1 in Canada (not an actual goal but pretty cool). Come race. Have an “attitude free” good time. Tell your friends. Bring them out.

If you think something sucks. Fire me a note. If I agree with you….I will change it or fix it. Lets all work together to make this a great series and a great year. This is a Cross Co-Op and we are all members.

BEER

If you have not seen the Phillips Beer (Heist) edit:

LOOKING FOR RIDES. LOOKING FOR PICK UPS for COTR#1

• If anyone is coming up from Shawnigan Lake area and can pick up a package for me please e-mail me (it is legit)
• If anyone is coming from Power River or lives in Comox and can pick up Graeme Cockshedge please fire him an e-mail at: gcocksedge@hotmail.com His ferry will get in at 9:30am.

COAL CROSS IN CUMBERLAND. COTR#1. 2013. AWAITS THIS WEEKEND!!!!!

If you are like me….and I know all of you are a bit like me in some ways….this weekend is what you have been waiting for since Beban Park….WAY back last November. A new Season. A New Series. Fresh Points….all very EXCITING. We are kicking our year off at Cumberland and it is going to be AWESOME.

First of all…..the Caveman is coming. He is travelling from cross-meca all the way up to Cumberland to race our series. Sharpen your game experts….see if you can beat him.

Second of all….Demo Dave is coming. He might be racing at the other end of the competitive spectrum to the caveman….but you have to start someplace and he is coming. Big KONA truck. Tents and hopefully fireworks……maybe.

Course Description
The start chute is a long drag strip straight-away on 6th Ave. (Anti-freeze will be provided at the start line for brakestands.) Entering the park, there will be a sweeping right hand turn into an off-camber up hill and arcing down the bank towards the Evil Knievel canyon jump – WEATHER PERMITTING. (There will be an alternate time-sucking line for ninnies, sissies and road riders.) The canyon jump will be followed by a whirly whirl so Curtis can take the holeshot, bottleneck everyone, and win the first lap beer prime. After that, racers go into the woods to everybody’s favorite choose-your-own-adventure lines. Next up are the barriers and the BMX track, followed up by the sandpit of despair and onto the pump track. REPEAT.

REMINDER: Every year. Despite warning. People take the BMX track TOO FAST. They crash. Their day is done. Possibly their season is done. Practice it. Check your speed. Know your skill level.

Other TEASERS

• 2 dozen “World’s Best” Doughnuts from the Cumberland Village Bakery (for hand ups)
• Choose your own adventure line(s)
• possible Evil Knievel cannon jump in the race (weather permitting)
• whirly whirl
• kids race refreshments sponsored by Seeds Natural Food Store
• Coal Hills BMX concession will be open for food
• first lap primes to be done again by Eatmore Sprouts.
• BRING THE KIDS. The Nutcase Helmets Kids races will be happening at most of our events this year….good fun!

Also: Cumberland Community Schools Society will be setting up a tent/table to talk about their after school programs – this is the program we donated four BMX “loaner” bikes to so that kids who may not have the means to buy BMX equipment can still participate with their friends and learn new skills that keep them excited, stimulated and out of trouble! Since our donation of 4 bikes, another community member has stepped up and bought “loaner” helmets and armour. Website for Cumberland Community Schools:
http://cumberlandcommunityschools.com/

Call up’s at this race are RANDOM aside from 1 racer…..Ian Hay. We did not use his EXACT slogan for the (future) series T’Shirts BUT reading it inspired Wendy’s and my brain storming that did come up with the final slogan….T.B.A. Ian. You have the pole!

REGISTRATION for COTR

We are doing a SERIES DISCOUNT if you register for the whole series PRIOR to
this Saturday at 7:00pm.

Links to the individual races are here:

Coal Cross – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=466
Binab Property Group GP – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=467
Farmer Bill’s Cattle X-ing – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=468
Crosstoberfest – http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=469
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

LICENSES for COTR….what you need.

Make sure you have your license in order (See guide for more information) for the series OR just bring an extra $10. The extra $10 works for ALL races EXCEPT Provincial Champs.

GUIDE to LOCAL CROSS RACES, RIDES and PRACTICES

In Victoria:
Cross Underground….if you live in Victoria and don’t know about this “practice” on Wednesday nights…you gotta get on it!

In Nanaimo:
M.I.V.A. has their practice sessions on Wednesday nights. Contact MIVA. It is usually a skills session and then a short race. Norm’s session’s: Erratic. Not on usual times or dates. Most of the times EASY. Sometimes hard. MIGHT be heading out Thursday night…..fire me an e-mail if you want to do some “training”.

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

FOR SALE
There is a classified section on our web site for any cross stuff you are selling. Wendy and I still have some stuff that needs to move. I need a new lawnmower and to pay my visa….so take a look! I am also bringing up a box of FREE stuff and other stuff for sale to the COTR#1 if you need something or just want to poke at it.

Wendy and Norm’s Carbon Cross Wheels for Sale.

1) Easton EC90SL with Challenge Limus Team Edition Tubulars. Easton
Skewers. $950

2) Easton EC90SL with Challenge Grifo 33’s (Tubular). Never been ridden.
Brand New. Easton Skewers. $1200

3) Easton EC90SLX with Dougast Typhoon Tubulars. Easton Skewers. Dura Ace
Cassette. $1000

4) FSA RD 888 K-Force Wheels with Grifo XS 32 Tubulars in White. Skewers.
Dura Ace Cassette. $1000

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

HOT COTR TOPICS

The countdown in on to cross.  It might not seem like it with all the great weather we have been having BUT it did rain on the weekend so that is very promising.

OBB in Nanaimo is reporting that their new KONA 2014’s are almost in the shop.  If you have not checked out these sweet rides yet you can see them here: http://konaworld.com/bikes.cfm

YES we are now on Facebook as Cross on the Rock.  You can like us up and get all the latest information before it actually happens.  There is also the Island Cross group on FB that you might want to join too. Vegan Dave also has a twitter feed for COTR.  Word of mouth.  Website.  Telephones….we are everywhere.

The truth about our beer sponsor…….we never really had one.  It is just that Phillips Beer is AWESOME and SO tasty and we have always wanted to have a super cool beer sponsor for the series.  Honestly though do you think that even though one of the owners of Phillips has raced at COTR (Gorge Course) that they would give us that much beer each year……not likely.  But we know where the brewery is.  We have a van….we are quick (although some of us are easily distracted-Me)……and this is pretty much how we get our Phillips “sponsorship” each year.

This year we will go even bigger!!

(Providing they are not onto us after seeing this Pelle Edit and increase security).

CROSS ON THE ROCK 2013 SCHEDULE

You got the “Save the dates” e-mail….months and months and months ago.  Dates are the same.

A few weeks ago we published our promo cards (look for them in all the better bike shops and carry them with you at all times) with the venues.

Then the venues were published on our web site but you might be busy fighting forest fires, “at the lake” or doing a mud run or something…..so just in case this is the deal:

September 29^th.  Coal Cross.  Village Park.  Cumberland

October 14^th.  Binab Property Group GP.  Western Speedway.  Victoria

October 20^th.  Farmer Bill’s Cattle X-ing.  Farmer Bills Farm.  Port Alberni

October 27^th.  Crosstoberfest.  Transfer Beach.  Ladysmith.

November 9^th.  MIVA Cross (Not official title).  Arbutus Meadows.  Nanoose.

November 10^th.  Kona Kup Provincials Championships.  Bowen Park.  Nanaimo.  Not part of COTR 2013 series.

November 24^th.  Ronde Van Hogwarts Series Championships.  Shawnigan Lake School.  Shawnigan Lake.

SERIES OVERVIEW

A bit of a later start for COTR this year with Star Crossed back in mid September.  Cross in BC will actually start in August according to CBC!!  There are 23 cross races PLUS the Victoria series this year in BC.  Ummm……I would say that is growth.  In 2005 we had 5 races in the Province.

RACE #1: Starting the season in the Village of Cumberland.  Expect Coal cross to have the same awesome venue.  We have heard rumours of more course “options” this year with the RD already checking out lines and possibilities.

RACE#2: Victoria has hosted a cross race on Thanksgiving monday on a few occasions and we are returning to greater Victoria for the holiday monday again this year for the Binab Property Group GP at Western Speedway.  The course last year included one of the toughest 200meters of course ever in a COTR race as well as a 50 across no call up start. I don’t like to toss this word around but it will be Epic.

RACE #3: Port Alberni is one of our more remote venues but anyone that made the trip to Farmer Bills last year was rewarded with a great course in really fun (MUD) conditions.  I expect Lee from Ozzie’s cycles to put together another fun time this year.

Race #4:  Beer Garden and Oceanside race course.  All that needs saying.

Race #5:  New Venue for MIVA’s race this year.  For the first time since we started putting on cross races on the island 10 years ago we will not be going to Beban Park (we will return obviously).  We will be heading instead to Arbutus Meadows for race 1 of a double header long weekend.  This venue just north of Nanaimo located right on the hwy is full of possibilities so we hope for a new and kick ass course out there.  Still waiting for the official race name on this one.

Race #6:  Race #6 is NOT part of the COTR series.  Instead the 2nd part of the double header long weekend will be PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.  The KONA KUP at Bowen Park.  A true test of every riders full skill set we will be racing age groups at this one instead of our usual COTR categories.  Expect more mainlanders to cross the straight and good fun competition.  Course will be similar to past years with a few changes as usual.

Race #7:  Ronde Van Hogwarts.  The series championships returns to Shawnigan Lake School.  Drew MacKenzie will brew up a special potion of wickedness for the series final. Not sure if Voldemort will be on course or not but you can expect a championship quality course that will reward finishers with double points.  After the racing is done we will “retire” to the club house (remember no shoes inside of course) and enjoy the series final festivities and prize giving.

Pumped?

COTR SERIES SPONSORS

We have been lucky to have some amazing sponsors that scrape their meager promotion budgets to give us a hand with product for prizing each year.  We thank them!  Honestly getting sponsors is the hardest part of the COTR series.  Even though we are the biggest (and in my very bias opinion the most fun) series in Canada….it is harder than hard to get support sometimes.

Some of our sponsors have been helping us for a LONG Time:

Frontrunners in Nanaimo of course….but they have no choice really!

Oak Bay Bikes.  Corey started putting on cross races with Wendy and myself…so again he has to support us!

Lambert.  Peter Creiton gets a meager promotions budget ever year and he gives (almost) all of it to us every year.

KONA.  We even got Dik Cox out last year to race his first EVER cross race at  the KONA KUP.  Rumour has it a few more KONA guys will over this year!

The Howard Johnson in Nanaimo at Saanich.  Dan Brady supports pretty much any event we ask him to.  He is going to lose his cross racing virginity this year.

Action Motorcycles.  Why is a motorcycle shop sponsoring a cross series?  Well cyclists sometimes ride motos (I do….well a scooter OK).  Plus Jamie Emery races cross and has every single one of our promotion cards in his workshop.

Phillips BEER.  Well we already explained that one.

Jim Pearson from the Waters Edge on the west coast and Pacific Shores in Parksville has supported cycling on the island since Tri Kinetic days in the 80’s.  Staying true to his roots and occasionally when the stars align he can make it out to a race.

Zed Wheels.  Every cross racer needs wheels….might as well make them custom and purpose built!  Another sponsor that races the series….a bit of a theme here!

RUMBLE. We had Rumble come to the Binab Property Group GP last year and now they are in for the whole series.

Hammer Nutrition. You race.  You train.  You need some Hammer (and some Rumble).

We are still sorting out the details from a few other sponsors; Orange Sport Supply that have been on/off with us over the years.  Nutcase which have helped us out sponsoring our kids races and in the past the NISSCOTU.  Saltspring Island Coffee; our man Bryn is gone from S.I.C. but we love those guys so still working on that.  Lastly hammering out details with Joele about a combo; Pearl Izumi, Pro, Shimano combo which would be super sweet for EVERYBODY.  I will keep you guys posted as it happens.

Like I said sponsorship prizes are the hardest part of the series so if you are part of a company that wants to help out we don’t ask for a lot and we try to MAX your value!!

SERIES AND PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RACE GUIDES

Last year instead of publishing race guides for each race we did one up for the whole series.  We will be doing that again this year as well as a separate guide for the KONA KUP Provincial Champs.  They will be posted and ready for download at the start of September.

REGISTRATION for COTR as well as the KONA KUP PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

We used raceonline.ca last year for pre-registration for all of our events.  We will be using them again this year for the series as well as the KONA KUP Provincial Championships.  It is not mandatory to pre-register for the series but it does make it easier on race day and less paper.

It will be mandatory to pre-register for the KONA KUP Provincial Championships and there will be no day of race registration for that event (aside from the kids race) as we will have to sort out call up order in conduction with other series in the province which needs to be done a head of time.

Pre-Registration for our series races, the series as a whole will start at the beginning of September.

Provincial Champs Registration will start around the same time.

LICENSES for COTR….what you need.

In order to race any of our COTR series races you must have a license OR you have to pay $10 extra on race day.

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.

A UCI License allows you to race any of the COTR races as well as Provincial Champs which are being held in Nanaimo this year and National Champs being held in South Surrey.  You can race any cross race pretty much anywhere in the world.

THESE LICENSES JUST WENT ON SALE (PRO RATED) yesterday on the Cycling BC web site for the remainder of the year.  Buy it now and you could still fit in a few MTB races or road races too!

You NEED TO HAVE THIS LICENCE TO RACE PROVINCIAL CHAMPS and or NATIONAL CHAMPS.  This type of license is now on sale at a discounted rate on the Cycling BB web site for the remainder of the year.

#2-SECOND TYPE: Citizen License. This license allows you to compete in the citizen category at any race in BC, in the cycling disciplines listed on your license card. You are also able to use this license to enter club-level races.

#3-THIRD TYPE: Day License.  IF you are only going to race COTR SERIES RACES and NOT the Provincial Championships you can purchase this license or you can pay $10 per event extra.  This License does NOT allow you to race Provincial Championships or National Championships.

GUIDE to LOCAL CROSS RACES, RIDES and PRACTICES

If you have a weekly cross ride, skills practice or practice race that you want to get the word out on Vancouver Island we want to help you get that word out.  Let us know and we will include the information in our newsletter.

FOR SALE

There is a classified section on our web site for any cross stuff you are selling.  Wendy and I still have some stuff that needs to move.  I need a new lawnmower and to pay my visa….so take a look!

Wendy and Norm’s Carbon Cross Wheels for Sale.

1) Easton EC90SL with Challenge Limus Team Edition Tubulars.  Easton Skewers.  $950

2) Easton EC90SL with Challenge Grifo 33’s (Tubular). Never been ridden. Brand New.  Easton Skewers.  $1200

3) Easton EC90SLX with Dougast Typhoon Tubulars.  Easton Skewers.  Dura Ace Cassette.  $1000

4) Zipp Pave-Cross 303.  One has a Challege Grifo Tubular and one has a Dougast Typhoon tubular.  Skewers.  Dura Ace 10S Cassette.  $900

5) FSA RD 888 K-Force Wheels with Grifo XS 32 Tubulars in White.  Skewers.  Dura Ace Cassette.  $1000

6) FSA RD 488 Wheels with Dougast Rhyno 32’s.  Dura Ace 10S Cassette.  $900

Kona Major Jake Cyclocross/Road Bike 55cm.  Carbon Frame and Fork.  Full Custom Build.  Shimano Dura Ace Shifter (single front ring) and rear DR.  Mixture of FSA, Avid, Easton parts. Selling for $1700.00

Series is Organized by the Cross Council:

With the following cycling clubs: MIVA, VICC, Trail Bicycles-Eatmore Sprouts Cycling Team, Cowichan Valley Cycling Club, 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

We have already been getting quite a few e-mails asking for information and dates for our 8th Cross on the Rock Season. While I can’t give you too many details as we are working on a “Top Secret” series unveiling what I can tell you is that you should mark the following dates off on your calendar, lap top, smart phone, write on your hand or just quit your job for the fall.

COTR Dates for our 8th Season, 2013

• September 29th .
• October 14th . (Thanksgiving Monday)
• October 20th.
• October 27th
• November 9th.
• November 10th .
• November 24th .

While you are at it you should probably mark off November 30th and December 1st on your Calendar as well as this will most likely be National Championships in South Surrey’s dates. Since it might be a few more years before it makes it back to the West Coast….you should plan on closing out your season at that event.

We have a few changes to venues and courses this year and are also working on…..well we are always working on something….can’t give too much away just yet.

In the meantime there is plenty of racing to keep you busy. Check out the Island Cup MTB series starting this Sunday in Victoria http://www.islandcupseries.com . A lot of the clubs are starting up their events as well for both road and mtb. Make it a goal to try to race a non-local club race this year. It is always fun to check out the grass roots in another town or area.

In addition if you are looking for one of the coolest train RUN races (yes cross racers should RUN year round!) on the Island. Point to Point. Around 13k. a LOT of cookies. Famous Easter Egg hunt for kids. You should check out the Fletchers Challenge run in Nanaimo on Good Friday (March 29th this year). http://rocnanaimo.com/running.html

RUMBLE!!!!

After Rumble (http://www.drinkrumble.com) came out and supported the Binab GP at Western Speedway last fall we talked to Kim about coming on board as a series sponsor….and they said “YES”. So we look forward to working with Rumble for the upcoming season. I will give you more details about what exactly they are sponsoring in upcoming newsletters.

Up for SALE.

Many of you know we have a classified section on our web site if you are ever selling anything CROSS or bike related feel free to pop it up there. Quite a few people have sold things there over the years.

Wendy and I also have quite a few things for sale right now. Feel free to fire us an e-mail if you are interested in any.

Here is a list:

1) Kona Major Jake Cyclocross/Road Bike 55cm. Carbon Frame and Fork. Full Custom Build. Shimano Dura Ace Shifters and rear DR. Mixture of FSA, Spookey, Easton parts. Retail on this bike would be over $4000. Selling for $1700.00

2) Kona Major Jake Cyclocross/Road Bike. 53cm. Team Only Race Issued. Full Custom Build with Sram Force and Easton parts. Easton Carbon Race Wheels or Aluminum Clincher wheels available. Retail on this bike would be over $5500. Selling for $2500 (with Easton tubular Carbon Race Wheels) or $2000 (with Easton Aluminum clincher wheels). (2 of these)

3) Kona Custom TT Bike. Only 9 in the world. Built for H&R Block Cycling Team. For Time Trials or Triathlons. 53cm Top Tube. Shimano Dura Ace components. Vision Tech bars. Will sell with everything but wheels for $1500

4) Kona Hei Hei 100 Full suspension Scandium Mountain bike. 18″ frame set. The LIGHT Easton EC90XC Wheelset alone retails for $2500 by itself! Add Sram X1 components. 2 X 10 drivetrain…..and more Easton and Sram components and you have a bike that won BCBR by over 2 hours last year. The retail price on this bike would be Astronomical…..probably over $6000. Wendy is selling it for $3200. Has basically been ridden less than 15 days total. In amazing shape.

5) Several sets of Carbon cross race wheels: Zipp, Easton, FSA. If you are looking for some fire us a separate note and we can send you the wheels+tires and $$ breakdown.

6) Giro CODE MTB Shoes. NEW. White/Black Size 40EU. Never been worn. No cleats ever attached. Comes with the arch supports as well. $100

7) Shimano WM80 Women’s MTB Shoes. NEW. EU40. $80

8) ) Another–Kona Major Jake Cyclocross/Road Bike 55cm. Carbon Frame and Fork. Full Custom Build. Shimano Dura Ace Shifter (single front ring) and rear DR. Mixture of FSA, Avid, Easton parts. Retail on this bike would be over $4000. Selling for $1700.00

Thanks again to our 2012 sponsors. We hope to see them back again this year.