Cross on the Rock

How about a weekend in BC where there were 413 people racing Cross on the same day. (Crosstoberfest 208 + Kids, Pumpkin Cross 160 + Kids, Interior Cross 44) Our sport is GROWING!!

RANDOMS

Pelle’s Edit from Crosstoberfest (Sponsored by Oak Bay Bikes) Check it out

 One Gallery from COTR#5 from Patrick Burnham: 

Second time COTR racer Owen Wood, “Great race, kick ass course and the beer/brat was soooo good”

Have you checked out the series standings?

With 2 races to go. One being double points….AND the “drop”….things are getting VERY Interesting!!

Don’t forget about the Photo Contest. Rolland will set up the Gallery and we will start taking submissions after the next event.

Check out your results, Stats, Battle stats and series stats.

NEXT RACE: COTR#6 The Binab GP at Western Speedway. November 11th.

CROSSTOBERFEST COTR #5 at Transfer Beach, Ladysmith. SECOND LARGEST EVER!

Tara and Mike Pollock (with the Cowichan Valley Cycling Club) did an amazing job with this event (again).

(Some of) My Highlights:

• There was one kid that was doing lap after lap of the kids course prior to their race. Wendy said he even did a bunch running….to “Warm up”. Wendy reported that at one point he stopped and looked over at another kid on the side of the course and said, “Oh #499. We have met before…..at the race in Victoria……” the challenge was ON!
• The number of Intermediate Women.
• The overall number of people both racers and spectators.
• Sue Glenn from the City of Ladysmith
• The number of kids racing.
• The amazing luck with weather. I don’t mind racing in the rain but I know not everyone shares my passion on this.
• A lot of first time podium finishers!

Lowlights

• Hitting an immovable pole at a high rate of speed.

Random

• I think if Adam DeVos could ride the first lap at 85% he would finish on the podium. Too much POWER!!

Unanswered questions: What happened to Nigel Ellsay in the Expert Race. Where is Steve Bachop?

From Tara:

Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped out at Crosstoberfest Ladysmith!!!! This event would not have been as successful if it was not for the commitment, creativity, and tenacity of this fantastic group of individuals!!! The rain and wind were intense for the set up crew that attended on Saturday night! They all came back for more, expecting the same on Sunday! Thank you! Thank you to each of you for giving up the sunniest day of the week to help make this event as good as it was! Thanks to Wolf Brewing Company for your generosity and for making history in the Cross on the Rock series…first beer garden!!

More specifically, thank you to…

Kevin Knock
Gracie Knock (and friend for the scary pumpkin)
Trevor Jones
Mr. and Mrs. Dutton
Sue Glenn (amazing advocate and organizer)
Tiffany Chapman (and Finnegan)
Jen and Chris Day
Tom Rozendaal
Natalie Jones
Sarah Chapman
Rhiannon Biotini
Lindsay and Paul Ellis
Garry Robinson
Brian Kuhn
Ron and Rhea Hewittson
Sandra Beggs
Andrea Robson
Barbara Altimas
Dean and Jen Lewis
Hilary Grant
Mike (whirly whirl creator extraordinaire!)
Roland and Katie
Norm

Thanks to our sponsors and their amazing support!!

The Town of Ladysmith
Cowichan Cycles
Wolf Brewing Company
Bouma Meats
The Drumroaster
Cycle Therapy
Experience Cycling
Bring a FEW extra BUCKS to the next race.

We collected about $160 at Crosstoberfest (Pumpkin Cross collected about $260 + We must beat them at our next event!!) for this and have private donations as well as more $ coming from the other events as well. If you cannot make it to our events but would like to donate please fire me an e-mail.

At our next event, the Binab GP COTR#6, on November 11th we will be collecting money as part of a BC Cross Community Collective Effort. Our next two events combined with the Last Victoria Underground race tonight, the Pumpkin Cross this Sunday put on by Local Ride, Jak New’s EV Grand Prix on November 10th as well a few of the bike clubs are organizing an effort to pump up and benefit our cross racers that come to the National Championships on November 17th and the UCI race on November 18th.

Our goals are FIRST to ensure that there is equal prize money for men and women to 15th place at the UCI race on November 18th in South Surrey. (I think we have already achieved this with our “public Pressure”)

Our SECOND Goal is that if the first goal is reached we want to put our remaining funds towards offering a prize purse for the National Champs on November 17th (Equal men and women of course).

Currently there is no prize purse required by regulations for Nationals, and so cash prizing is not currently being offered. (It is an expensive race weekend to put on with the UCI event etc. so we understand the budget constraints) BUT we would also like help to change that for the National Champs this year as they are being hosted in our Province.

The Cross Community feels that it benefits everyone; the racers, the event, cycling and specifically cross to make these things happen.

SO our events along with the events listed above will all have a bucket for donations at registration. Bring an extra few bucks and throw it in there. We are a strong part of the cross community in BC and we want to show our support for these events as best we can.

We have already had support and donations from both the provincial championships last weekend with the Atomic Cycling Club and West Coast Racing through the Vanier Park Cross race so the ball is rolling on this and we are going to make it happen!!

ARE YOU AN ELITE MALE/FEMALE, U23 or JR MALE that wants to race at the WORLD CHAMPS being held for the first time outside of EUROPE!

Then this is the man that you want to talk to and/or meet at the National Champs.
ccc signature Matthew KNIGHT
Cycling CANADA Cyclisme
Road & Cyclo-Cross Coordinator
Coordonnateur – Route et Cyclo-Cross
Tel: +1 (613) 248-1353 x2602
matthew.knight@cyclingcanada.ca
www.cyclingcanada.ca

Educate yourself to what YOU need to do and what the requirements are to make the team for Kentucky 2013 here:

http://www.cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SELECTION-CRITERIA-CX-2013-Sept-14.pdf

There are 5 spots per group: Elite Male, ALL FEMALES, U23 and JR Male….lets get some COTR racers on these teams!!

Wanna go to the MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS?

Louisville, KY – October 30, 2012. Online registration for the 2013 UCI Masters Cyclo-cross World Championships powered by Exergy, scheduled for January 29th – February 1st, 2013 in Louisville, KY, will open on November 1st on USACycling.org.

Participants can register for the following age groups: M / W 30-34; M / W 35-39; M / W 40-44; M / W 45-49; M / W 50-54; M /W 55-59; M / W 60-64; Women 65+; Men 65-69; Men 70-74 and Men 75+; see below for schedule. Registration opens with early pricing at $75 per rider through January 4th, 2013. On January 5th, 2013 the entry fee moves to $100 per rider and closes on January 25th. On-site registration will be available for $125.

Raced on the new Masters World Championship venue at at Champions Park in Louisville, the course will features elevation and speed changes, dirt, sand, grass, off-camber technical sections and enough natural terrain change to challenge riders.

The Galt House is the Official Host Hotel of the 2013 Masters and 2013 Elite World Championships, and is located at 140 N. 4th Street, Louisville, KY. Visit www.louisville2013.com to make reservations.

This is how you recovery from doing a two-and-a-half-gainer-with-twist-dismount at the steel pole/rock downhill.

Usually in these e-mails you try to start with the “Good Stuff”….this week there is SO MUCH “Good Stuff”….I don’t know WHERE TO START??

RANDOMS

OK will start with Pelle’s Edit from Farmer Bills…..cause that will get you FIRED UP! Check it out.

And a Gallery from COTR#4 from Patrick Burnham: 

Liked this note from Rob Parkin: “Been having so much fun racing cyclocross, I think it’s as close to proper head to head racing like formula one you can get on a bicycle, definitely underrated as a sport!”

Last thing for our “Randoms” section this week is an update from Danielle Stevens:

Thanks for thinking of me. Finally got surgery on Saturday and ball got plated back together, Just in time to get in done and out so that Jamie could get last ferry 9 pm with Peter Wellsman to go to provincials! We got to hospital at 5:45am and left at 5 pm. Had to be bright and chirpy to get discharged 🙂 Jenn dosil and Sylvia Storry didn’t race, they stayed at ours and nursed me through the night and all Sunday so Jamie could go. That combined with Peter Wellsman shows what an awesome bike community of friends we have. Jamie got some catchup sleep on the way to Vancouver in Peter’s van 🙂

Pain is brutal but surgeon said would be awful and worse for a few days, just glad it’s done though and now I can start recovery. Not so mobile yet but maybe I’ll get out to the last race to cheer. Got short term disability from wrk so 4 mths recovery to get good physio and get fixed 🙂

CROSSTOBERFEST COTR #5 at Transfer Beach, Ladysmith….THIS SUNDAY!

Race/Course Preview
Crosstoberfest is taking things up a notch this year!!! More grass, more beach, a road climb (to make the start more favorable), more twists and turns, more bratwurst and beer! We have shortened the course a bit from last year and used some different terrain. The course swings right by the beer garden… several times!

Numbers
ON THE LEFT!

Costumes
The cute timing chicks, (and Norm), will be voting on best costume!! Dress to impress and WIN!!

Food
You will get a bratwurst and a beverage, (a beer if you are over 19), with your entry fee of $15 beginner/$25 other. Bring some extra change if you are wanting seconds! Bring cash please! Email me if you have certain diet preferences ie vegetarian, we will do our best to accommodate if we know before Saturday (tealtimas@hotmail.com)

Parking
Please follow the signs for race parking. There will be other park users coming to the park to use the playground, walk dogs etc and I would like to keep the in park parking for them.

ALSO
Treats for all the kids that participate in the kids race!!

There will be other park users (but not the geocachers) and the mayor on site so let’s put on a good show for them with some great racing and good times!!

Rock Star Registration always available up until 6:00pm the day before the event. 

With the Beer Garden please remember to drink responsibly and plan a head. Sorry riding a bike home drunk is NOT a responsible way to get home from this event!

Bring a FEW extra BUCKS to the next two races.
At our next two events: Crosstoberfest COTR #5 this weekend and Binab GP COTR#6 on November 11th we will be collecting money as part of a BC Cross Community Collective Effort. Our next two events combined with the Last Victoria Underground race tonight, the Pumpkin Cross this Sunday put on by Local Ride, Jak New’s EV Grand Prix on November 10th and Catharine Pendrel’s Interior Cross races this weekend and November 4th as well a few of the bike clubs are organizing an effort to pump up and benefit our cross racers that come to the National Championships on November 17th and the UCI race on November 18th.

Our goals are FIRST to ensure that there is equal prize money for men and women to 15th place at the UCI race on November 18th in South Surrey.

Our SECOND Goal is that if the first goal is reached we want to put our remaining funds towards offering a prize purse for the National Champs on November 17th (Equal men and women of course).

Currently there is no prize purse required by regulations for Nationals, and so cash prizing is not currently being offered. We would like to change that for the National Champs this year as they are being hosted in our Province.

The Cross Community feels that it benefits everyone; the racers, the event, cycling and specifically cross to make these things happen.

SO our events along with the events listed above will all have a bucket for donations at registration. Bring an extra few bucks and throw it in there. We are a strong part of the cross community in BC and we want to show our support for these events as best we can.

We have already had support and donations from both the provincial championships last weekend with the Atomic Cycling Club and West Coast Racing through the Vanier Park Cross race so the ball is rolling on this and we are going to make it happen!!

Provincial Cross Champs Last Weekend.

Jeff Van Mulligen, Speed Theory and the Atomic Cycling club did a great and WORTHY job of hosting the Provincial Champs last weekend at Mahon Park in North Vancouver. Not only was the course MUDDY but it also had some great technical elements to it. A good rider was off their bike 5 times a lap. An awesome rider like Ian Smith reported being off his bike only 3 times per lap. A less skilled rider could have been off their bike up to 8 times per lap….the way a CHAMPIONSHIP should be!!

Results posted at: http://www.atomicracing.com/race/

We had a great turn out of regular and part time COTR racers. 5 of the top 5 racers in the Elite Category have done our races. All the podium spots for Masters 40-49….full time or part time COTR racers. 2 spots in the 50+ masters, 3 in the 30+ masters women, a couple in the JR men’s….you get the idea….we pretty well ruled!! Really happy with the islanders that headed over and supported this event.

Ride of the day? It would be a tough call. Pelle actually was lined up at the back of the Cat ¾ race and watched them start….not realizing that he needed to start with them for a few moments as he stood with the JR’s watching the action in front of him….finally he figured it out….got going….worked his way through almost the whole group to finish 2nd in his category.

Run of the day? Wendy Simms who rolled her tubular on lap 4 or so (check the splits…you will figure it out) only about 1000m into the 3 k course. Rather than retire from the race….she knew the kids were being watched….gotta get the workout in….she ran the 2 k to the pits with her bike shouldered and continued on for 5th.

Domination of the day? Jordan Duncan in the JR Men’s category.

ARE YOU AN ELITE MALE/FEMALE, U23 or JR MALE that wants to race at the WORLD CHAMPS?

Then this is the man that you want to talk to and/or meet at the National Champs.

Matthew KNIGHT
Cycling CANADA Cyclisme
Road & Cyclo-Cross Coordinator
Coordonnateur – Route et Cyclo-Cross
Tel: +1 (613) 248-1353 x2602
matthew.knight@cyclingcanada.ca
www.cyclingcanada.ca

Educate yourself to what YOU need to do and what the requirements are to make the team for Kentucky 2013 here:

http://www.cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SELECTION-CRITERIA-CX-2013-Sept-14.pdf

There are 5 spots per group: Elite Male, ALL FEMALES, U23 and JR Male….lets get some COTR racers on these teams!!

(REPEAT BUT STILL IMPORTANT) EQUITY IN SPORT–PLEASE SEND THESE GUYS A MESSAGE FROM YOU

Back I the early 1900’s Women were not allowed to vote. They sometimes had separate entrances into buildings. They were basically second class people. The world has made HUGE progress since then BUT some people still want to keep women down. One group of Neanderthals lives in Luddite-ville in Switzerland and go by the name the “UCI”. They dictate all sorts of oppressive rules that keep women’s sports from growing. Unfortunately our governing bodies in the CCA and CBC for some reason….even though they don’t live near Luddite-Ville decide to follow these outdated and restrictive group of rules. The most recent have to do with prize money and number of categories at the National Cyclocross champs and the Category 2 race being held the day after on November 17th and 18th in South Surrey.

For the National Championships there are 2 Categories for women. Open Women and Masters women 30+. BOTH of the WOMEN’S categories have to race with men on the course….not a clear course for either of them.

There should be a women’s 19 and Under category and a women’s 40+ masters category or switch masters to 35-44 and 44+.

And they wonder why they get poor turn outs?

Just 20 minutes South of where Nationals will be held this year in the USA there are EQUAL # of Categories for MEN and WOMEN…..What is the problem here?

For the Category 2 race on Sunday the 18th the men’s winner will get $350. The women’s $185. Second Place. $179 for the male. $130 for the female. You get the picture. REGARDLESS WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THE WOMEN HAVE EQUAL CASH…..BUT THIS POLICY NEEDS TO CHANGE!!

How is this right in 2012….the answer is it is NOT and it is offensive.

Send a message. LOUD AND CLEAR:
keith@cyclingbc.net Current CEO of Cycling BC Keith Ryan
kevin@cyclingbc.net Organizer of the event Kevin MacCuish
greg.mathieu@canadian-cycling.com CEO of Cycling Canada
jacques.landry@canadian-cycling.com High Performance Cycling Canada
Matthew Knight CCA head of Cyclocross Matthew.Knight@cyclingcanada.ca

Funny looking through the CCA directory Cyclocross is not important enough to them to have a director or a coach or a manager……ACTUALLY UPDATE ON THIS!! Matt Knight got back to us and got his information updated on the CCA Directory….PROGRESS and thanks MATT!

SEND THEM A NOTE PLEASE. Take 3 minutes to do it. BCC me while you are at it.

While you are at it ask why there is no Cadet Men’s category. Why a guy in his 60’s has to race someone 50…..lets get Nationals sorted out and made better. Pressure will do it!

Should be noted that when we held CX Nationals in 2006 we had EQUAL prize money AND Prize money at Nationals…..they are not even offering prize money for winning the national championships.

CYCLING BC AGM

There are lots of “theories” on why the Cycling BC AGM was moved/delayed/stalled to December 2nd. The most important part of it all though is that nothing has changed yet……well not entirely true. There are a LOT of people working VERY-HARD on change right now….but nothing will happened on the front lines until after the AGM.

ALSO In my last e-mail I wrote some stuff about CBC and our experiences with that organization. While they are true I should be clear that there are two people at CBC that we have a great relationship with and always are VERY-HELPFUL.

Tara Mowat who helps us with our sanctioning and calendar/web stuff.

Diana Hardie who takes care of our insurance.

Also in the past Tanya Camposano who was super supportive and came to a few of our races each year to make sure everything was on-track.

Weekly Cross Rides on the Island (Please keep me updated on these and others)

Courtenay: WENESDAY NIGHTS.

Trail Bicycle Eatmore Sprouts Team

We will be hosting a weekly Wednesday night cross ride from Trail Bicycles, meet there ready to ride for 6pm and please bring lights and warm clothes as we will be out there until dusk.

Victoria: WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Wednesday Nights:

– CROSS CLUB 2012 –
$20 cash money for the 8 event training series
October 24th

E-Mail: crossclub@gmail.com

Victoria: FRIDAY NIGHTS.

Cross season is on, so starting this Friday: CX ride leaving from Broad Street Cycles after work (6ish). Everyone welcome, bring lights.

We will give you the highlights from the weekend’s action first. Be sure to scroll through EVERYTHING as there is IMPORTANT information that we need your support from in this update e-mail.

Cross on the Rock Race #4: Farmer Bills at McCoy Lake Farm, Port Alberni

The most WESTERN Cross race in Canada of all time. It did not disappoint. Great racing. Great Course. Great Turn out.

Quotes:

“I go home from the race. Go through my regular routine and jobs. Get ready for bed. Put my head on the pillow. Close my eyes. Do a lap or two of the course in my head. Then fall asleep with a smile on my face” First year Cross racer XY

“I know such statements as “today was the best day of my life” are grossly over used, which in turn reduces their validity…. so instad, I will say that today was easily one of the 10 best days of my life…. great people, great scenery, great racing, and no shortage of mud!! So much fun it was almost stupid…” Long time Cross Racer XY

I was supposed to announce this at the race BUT forgot. Joele wanted everyone to know that Drew was not there BECAUSE he was working in New Zealand as manager of the National Triathlon team….so you can stop asking her now!

Norm’s Highlights

• First off all the turn out. Having that many racers come out to Port Alberni in the eye of the “perfect” storm was incredible.
• Doughnuts. Two people (Seana and Russell) helped me out with this….I benefited…and just under 2 dozen of you benefitted too!
• Heckling. For some reason people really turned it up at this event. There was a lot more heckling and some GOOD QUALITY hecking!!
• I wondered how Sam Whittingham carried all his prizes from two races home?
• Mud

Norm’s Questions

• With the mid point of the season now over WHO is going to get rookie of the year this year? We have Parker in Intermediate. We have Ian in Masters. Will someone else come out to impress? Can someone on a MTB get cross racer rookie of the year??
• We gave out prizes at this event. CASH at the last race. Neither races did I get a peep…..should we even bother with prizes and just give out purple ribbons?
• Where is Steve Bachop?

If you want to fire a note out to Farmer Bill’s Place you can send it to Bill Jr. (Hint: it is worth your minute to do so!) Farmer Bill Jr. (Billy, his son) 71bronco.ss@gmail.com)

Ozzies Cycle, Alberni Valley Riders and ASS would like to thank:

• Sheri Wong & Krush smoothies for the amazing energy balls
• Billy Leech and Tracy Chester of Totally Board Surf Co. for the sweet longboard and apparel
• Alberni Kiwanis Club for the hot food
• Our beloved friends Brad and Mike for their tireless support – you guys came through once again!!
• To the Thompson Farmer’s, Bill, Billy and Taylor for sharing their beautiful farm and for their hours of hard work.
• Finally, we want to thank the COTR crew, all the racers and their fans for braving the elements and removing some of the cow poop from our valley!

Event highlights from Lee and Seana:

• sausage hand-ups (Lee took one!)
• seeing Sam Whittingham actually suffer
• a cameo by Armand and Lea from Squamish’s Republic Bikes
• happy kids cheering on giant marshmallows
• Halldor grinning through his entire race
• 11 year old first time racer singlespeeding through 2 laps and finishing with a smile
• Ron Hewitson finishing 2 laps on a chick’s bike
• Witnessing Norm in a doughnut feeding frenzy

Cool Edit Hansel

Have not seen anything from Intermediate CHAMPION Pelle YET…apparently it will be posted Tuesday afternoon. There is usually a link on the Island Cross Face Book Page….he is a bit slower this week because he is basking in his victory.

So in the meantime you can check this one out from Russell Berg (who also brought me donughts…..THANKS RUSSELL!!)

Provincials THIS WEEKEND. IF YOU ARE RACING….READ THIS AND GET IT DONE ASAP!!!!

IMPORTANT NOTE: We are sending our series standings to Jeff for call up at the provincial champs. Obviously our series does not follow the categories EXACTLY that are used at Provincials. SO it is UP TO YOU IF YOU WANT A CALL UP. If you are going….we need to know and we need to know what category you are racing. EXPECIALLY if you currently race Expert or Intermediate and are racing Masters 30-39 at provincials. We can ONLY DO SO MUCH….so it is up to you to help yourself on this. Let me know normont@islandnet.com (you can just respond to this e-mail!) (but not until Monday and not AFTER Tuesday)

The Provincial Championships this year are being held at Mahon Park in North Vancouver on October 21st. This is a course that has been used before for Provincials. You could even double down and do the Wooley Cross across the line on October 20th if you wanted to.

http://www.atomicracing.com/race/

Jeff Van Mulligen the race director has dedicated spots for our COTR series riders based on our rankings after 4 races. This will apply for Elite, Women and Masters at Provincials and I will work with him to make sure those riders are called up correctly.

You do need a proper license for this event and can not buy a day-of-race license so keep that in mind.
AND YOU HAVE TO PRE-REGISTER if you want to take advantage of your COTR Status for call up.

LIVING IN THE EARLY 1900’s
Back I the early 1900’s Women were not allowed to vote. They sometimes had separate entrances into buildings. They were basically second class people. The world has made HUGE progress since then BUT some people still want to keep women down. One group of Neanderthals lives in Luddite-ville in Switzerland and go by the name the “UCI”. They dictate all sorts of oppressive rules that keep women’s sports from growing. Unfortunately our governing bodies in the CCA and CBC for some reason….even though they don’t live near Luddite-Ville decide to follow these outdated and restrictive group of rules. The most recent have to do with prize money and number of categories at the National Cyclocross champs and the Category 2 race being held the day after on November 17th and 18th in South Surrey.

For the National Championships there are 2 Categories for women. Open Women and Masters women 30+.

And they wonder why they get poor turn outs?

Just 20 minutes South of where Nationals will be held this year in the USA there are EQUAL # of Categories for MEN and WOMEN…..What is the problem here?

For the Category 2 race on Sunday the 18th the men’s winner will get $350. The women’s $185. Second Place. $179 for the male. $130 for the female. You get the picture.

How is this right in 2012….the answer is it is NOT and it is offensive.

Send a message. LOUD AND CLEAR:

keith@cyclingbc.net Current CEO of Cycling BC Keith Ryan
kevin@cyclingbc.net Organizer of the event Kevin MacCuish
greg.mathieu@canadian-cycling.com CEO of Cycling Canada
jacques.landry@canadian-cycling.com High Performance Cycling Canada

Funny looking through the CCA directory Cyclocross is not important enough to them to have a director or a coach or a manager…..I guess we are just a pain for them to “deal with”?

SEND THEM A NOTE PLEASE. Take 3 minutes to do it. BCC me while you are at it.

While you are at it ask why there is no Cadet Men’s category. Why a guy in his 60’s has to race someone 50…..lets get Nationals sorted out and made better. Pressure will do it!

Should be noted that when we held CX Nationals in 2006 we had EQUAL prize money AND Prize money at Nationals…..they are not even offering prize money for winning the national championships.

CYCLING BC AGM
You may notice that we don’t get much if any recognition from Cycling BC for our efforts over here on the Island. Despite having grown the sport of Cyclocross in the province, built one of the best series in the country, developed world class athletes, fostered positive club relationships etc. etc…..they don’t even mention us in their newsletter and we have never had a write up on their Cyclocross home page. For the most part this is political. For some reason they don’t like us. They don’t like Cyclocross. They don’t like the Island ‘cause we are too far away from Broadway street…..I have no clue. But the AGM is this weekend. Saturday to be precise. Change can happen. BUT they need bums in the seat to make it happen! IF there is ANY CHANCE YOU CAN MAKE IT TO Abbotsford (why do you think they moved so far from the island?) on Saturday…PLEASE DO.

The cross organizers around the province are in support of Matt Klymson in taking on the VP of CX position.

At the same time we hope for some MAJOR changes in the board and at all levels in Cycling BC to happen in the next couple of months.

Something has to change. I started racing bikes at the Tour D White rock in 1988 and honestly I have never seen the state of cycling in the province at the administration/governing body level so bad.

CHANGE IS NEEDED.

IF there is any chance you can make it to the meeting here is the information:

Notice of 2012 Annual General Meeting
10am Saturday, October 20 2012 – Sandman Hotel & Suites 32720 Simon Ave
Abbotsford BC V2T 4V1

Weekly Cross Rides on the Island (Please keep me updated on these and others)

Courtenay: WENESDAY NIGHTS.
Trail Bicycle Eatmore Sprouts Team
We will be hosting a weekly Wednesday night cross ride from Trail Bicycles, meet there ready to ride for 6pm and please bring lights and warm clothes as we will be out there until dusk.

Victoria: WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Wednesday Nights:
– CROSS CLUB 2012 –
$20 cash money for the 8 event training series
October 17th, 24th
E-Mail: crossclub@gmail.com

Victoria: FRIDAY NIGHTS.
Cross season is on, so starting this Friday: CX ride leaving from Broad Street Cycles after work (6ish). Everyone welcome, bring lights.

Nanaimo: Done for the season.

If you are in Victoria and want to tune up your skills there is a Cross Skills Work — tomorrow at 9:30am at Recyclistas Community Bike Shop

Looking for inspiration?

The Race that will be: Cross on the Rock Race #4: Farmer Bills at McCoy Lake Farm, Port Alberni

Let there be MUD….and there was mud.

Rock Star (Pre) Registration is OPEN. It will be open until about 6:00 PM tomorrow night.

The Cross on the rock series is looking forward to returning to the Alberni Valley for the 3rd time in our series history.

Due to the obvious lack of rain the farm course is very rough, riders are advised to run fatter tires lower pressures and gel gloves. If you just purchased new clip less shoes leave them at home, wear your old ones.

There will be VIP parking for those with tents.

Forecast is calling for rain and farmer Bill just may have turned on his irrigation system!!

As far as directions, the piece of farm we are accessing has no address. Type in Google maps, Sproat lake fire department on highway 4 and it is directly across the highway can’t miss it !!

The schedule is the same as the whole series and there will be a kids race at this event at 12:45 again.

Here is a link to a SHAW TV spot that was done for this event. If you want to check out some of the features that will be used for the course.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no “Grace Period”….if you forget your license don’t forget an extra $10. No exceptions. Put it with your car keys or in your wallet now.

If anyone is popping by the Donut shop at the Quay in Port Alberni before they head to the venue (as I WOULD if Lee did not have me on such a tight time line) can they please pick me up a dozen…..well…surprise me! Best donuts on the island!

The Race that was: Cross on the Rock Race #3: KONA KUP at Bowen Park, Nanaimo.

Record Turn out. 218 racers. Pretty much the biggest race in Canadian History….although we don’t have any documentation to back that up.

The Bowen Park course again proved to be one of the toughest courses around. Already it had 2 of it’s editions in the top 10 for toughest races. The 2012 race squeeked in at #9…..so not the hardest of the hard this year. A good note was the only category where ALL the starters finished was the Beginner Women……shows who is REALLY tough!

I relayed this story to a few people at the event but it is worth repeating. During the beginner men’s race the leader of the race was just finishing up his 3rd and final lap. In the process right at the barriers 3 meters from the finish he passed one of the younger kids who was now a lap down. Hillary and I had a quick word and decided we should let the young guy do another lap (and actually the next 3 young guys) as we were still on schedule. So I leaned over the tape and asked the racer if he wanted to do another lap and finish all the races. The racer….all of about 9 or 10 asked me, “Can I”. I said, “yes”. He said, “Oh good. I really wanted to get a workout in today”.

Special thanks to Oak Bay Bikes and KONA. Also a really special thanks to David Huntley our go to guy for any major medical problem on race day as well as the, spectators, Dr. and Wilderness first aid people (did not get their names) that stepped up and helped Danielle Stevens after her crash as well as monitored the course and racers during that time.

MASTERPIECES

Pelle’s edit from COTR #3

PHOTOS

From Rob Parkin
http://www.flickr.com/photos/88305830@N04/sets/72157631731231712/with/8069514550/

From Patrick Burnham
Kona Kup http://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157631736235673/
A Dodgy Cross http://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157631726012099/
Condo Cross http://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157631725841498/
Miva Riders http://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157631566747073/

From G-OFF
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geoff_robson/

BONUS MATERIAL

JUST in case you have not seen this.

And if you have an hour or so to kill….this kills! Superprestige!

 Provincials

IMPORTANT NOTE: We are sending our series standings to Jeff for call up at the provincial champs. Obviously our series does not follow the categories EXACTLY that are used at Provincials. SO it is UP TO YOU IF YOU WANT A CALL UP. If you are going….we need to know and we need to know what category you are racing. EXPECIALLY if you currently race Expert or Intermediate and are racing Masters 30-39 at provincials. We can ONLY DO SO MUCH….so it is up to you to help yourself on this. Let me know (but not until Monday and not AFTER Tuesday)

The Provincial Championships this year are being held at Mahon Park in North Vancouver on October 21st. This is a course that has been used before for Provincials. You could even double down and do the Wooley Cross across the line on October 20th if you wanted to.

http://www.atomicracing.com/race/

Jeff Van Mulligen the race director has dedicated spots for our COTR series riders based on our rankings after 4 races. This will apply for Elite, Women and Masters at Provincials and I will work with him to make sure those riders are called up correctly.

You do need a proper license for this event and can not buy a day-of-race license so keep that in mind.

AND YOU HAVE TO PRE-REGISTER if you want to take advantage of your COTR Status for call up.

Weekly Cross Rides on the Island (Please keep me updated on these and others)

Courtenay: WENESDAY NIGHTS.
Trail Bicycle Eatmore Sprouts Team

We will be hosting a weekly Wednesday night cross ride from Trail Bicycles, meet there ready to ride for 6pm and please bring lights and warm clothes as we will be out there until dusk.

Victoria: WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Wednesday Nights:

– CROSS CLUB 2012 –
$20 cash money for the 8 event training series
September 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th and October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th

E-Mail: crossclub@gmail.com

Victoria: FRIDAY NIGHTS.
Cross season is on, so starting this Friday: CX ride leaving from Broad Street Cycles after work (6ish). Everyone welcome, bring lights.

Nanaimo: Done for the season.

Cross on the Rock Race #3: KONA KUP at Bowen Park, Nanaimo.

With The KONA Kup less than a day away we have a bit of information to pass on.

First. Pre-Registration (I like to call it Rock Star Reg.) will close at 3:00 today. If you are registering in Open Women…there seems to be no option for that on the sheet. Just register for “Expert”. We will figure it ou.

Second. There is no separate “Youth” race at this event. There has been a lot of interest with the young kids in racing Beginners…..the one daunting factor is hauling a HEAVY bike up 50 stairs most likely 3 times. We had a request from a parent if they can help their kid on the stairs with his bike. Of course to keep it fair we need to have this offer open to everyone…..and still keep it fair. So what we are going to say for this is anyone 12 or under can have someone help them with their bike up the stairs. HOWEVER you can not pass or impede anyone while helping. I hope that is OK with everyone.

Third. The sand section because of the dry summer/fall combined with an addition of some gravel in there is currently virtually un-ridable. To make it a challenge we are putting our Phillips Beer on the line. First one to ride the whole section CLEAN in each race gets BEER. If no one in your race rides it then the BEER goes to the next race etc. until someone does.

Draw PRIZES: Cross frame and fork from Oak Bay Bikes. Howard Johnston Gift Certificates. Parkside Victoria Gift Certificate. Lots of good stuff from our sponsors…..it will be AWESOME!

KONA KUP HISTORY

Cross on the Rock history at Bowen Park with the KONA KUP started in 2009.

That year Dylan Tremblay won the Intermediate. Graham Cocksedge took the Masters (before we changed masters to 40+). Kristen Magnusson the Open Women and John Fokkema (where has John been?) took the Expert race…..9 laps…..450 stairs.

The next year in 2010 Victoria’s Jeff Drew took the Intermediate. A young Justin Mark slayed the Masters (still had not changed it to 40+). The most winningest racer in COTR Dawn Anderson took the Open Women and Craig Richey (who is racing in Providence this weekend) took the Expert Men.

Last year in 2011 we saw Nigel Ellsay (who has just been signed to a European Road team!) win the Intermediate. Victoria Boyd won the new women’s Intermediate category. Canadian ex-pat Derek Shiers living in B-Ham came up and spanked the masters. Dawn Anderson took her 90th COTR win and Tyler Trace won the 10 lap (500 stairs) Expert men’s category!!

Who will win tomorrow??

KIDS RACES
There is no “Youth” category at the Kona Kup (they can still race Beginners or another category of course) and initially we did not have a Kids race but we will set up a kids course for practice on the lower part of the park below the Parking Lot and fire up some kids competitions at the usual 12:45 time. You little rippers get out there!!

PARKING
With the turn out expected to be a record breaker the lower parking lot will probably fill quite early. There is more parking at Bowen Park quite close by. At the top part of the course above registration and the first right on Bowen road past Wall Street there are a number of additional parking spots. Across Wall Street there is a HUGE parking lot at the curling rink (be careful crossing Wall Street). IF all three of these areas fill up there is additional parking at the second entrance past Wall Street in Bowen Park.

CASH MONEY

Equal prize money for Men and Women.
Expert and Open Women
1st $125
2nd $ 75
3rd $ 50
4th $ 30
5th $20 (you basically get your entry fee back!!)

That is a $600 prize purse son!

Intermediate Men and Women as well as Masters….if you win….we will give you $25 towards your gas money/recovery food/beer. We love you guys too (well we love the beginners as well but to race for the $ you gotta move up categories….no one has cash for beginners!) Plus your usual prizes!

Number Placement: LEFT SIDE PLEASE!