MIVA - 2016 Press Release
Mid Island Velo Association Announces 2016 Schedule
Mid Island Velo Association (MIVA) is in its sixth year of operation and has seen its numbers swell to over one hundred riders ranging in age from 10 to 75. Club President, Corey Friesen, states: “Our club is rather diverse so we are proud to offer a wide variety of events catering to beginners, elites and everyone in between. 2016 is going to be a great year!”
Monday night beginner rides, presented by Kiyo Salon and Day Spa, will begin on April 11th. These rides are led by an experienced cyclist and are intended for riders who are familiar with road biking, but who are new to riding in a group. This ride would be especially beneficial for individuals who have aspirations of someday participating in a triathlon or gran fondo.
The MIVA Spins at the Swet Haus have been a sell out for most of the winter and will continue until March 16th. Don't miss this opportunity to get yourself ready for race season, or for general cycling fitness.
The Coal City Cycles Criterium Series will start April 12, 2016 and will continue every Tuesday evening until the end of July. Races will be held on the usual Boxwood circuit. In order to encourage new riders, a clinic will be held on April 12 prior to the race. The clinic is intended to introduce riders to the criterium race and provide tips on how to excel at this fast-paced racing format. A women-only option will be available.
Wednesday night advanced rides are intended for more experienced riders who want to increase their fitness level in a group environment. In other words, riders ought to be prepared to push the pace on Nanaimo’s many climbs. Wednesday night rides are scheduled for 6:30PM at Rock City Cycles. There will be two groups, an intermediate (24-28km/hr pace) and an advanced (28km/hr avg+) group.
The Rock City Cycles time trial series begins on April 14, 2016.This is MIVA’s longest standing series, having been first held in 2008. The individual time trial event is unique because it provides cyclists and triathletes of all levels the opportunity to compete against the clock. With as many as six chances to race the same distance on the same course, riders will be motivated as they track their improvement over the season. The start is located on Nanaimo River Road, 500m west of the intersection with South Forks Road. The series includes 16 races ranging in distance from 15km to 40km. The series starts on April 14, 2016 at 6:30PM and will run until July 28, 2016.
After record turnout in 2015, the Arrowsmith Bikes Hill climb series will return in early August. As usual, this fun event will be held in time trial format and feature some of the more grueling climbs in and around Nanaimo. There will also be one mass start event.
In preparation for Cross on the Rock, the club is investigating options for a weekly cyclocross clinics. More information will be provided when available. A possible mid summer Diver Lake Cross Race is also in the early planning stage.
Points in the Criterium, Time Trial and Hill Climb events will be tallied throughout the season and trophies, handmade by Glaros Studios, will be presented to all category winners in Senior Male, Senior Female, Youth Male and Youth Female at the season wrap-up event in November.
Other special events include our fourth annual 50km/100km Spring Challenge Ride scheduled for April 16, 2016. We’re also introducing a new challenge, the “5 Hill Climbs in 1 Day” Ride on May 7, 2016. This event will conclude at White Sails Brewing. MIVA will be playing an active part in the Ride for Life (May 28, 2016), which is an exciting new cycling event in support of the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation. The crowd-favourite Mt Washington Climb will be offered on June 4, 2016.
New members are always welcome. www.bikeracing.ca for membership forms and up-to-date event information.
MIVA would like to thank the following businesses for their ongoing support: