The Bowen Park course is one of the hardest around and it took its  toll of riders last Monday, with the highest number of DNF's of the season. MIVA members again represented the club very well, with twenty-three riders - a quarter of our total membership - scoring two firsts, a third, fourth and fifth.  Here is a full list of MIVA performances: Beginner

Brodie Hay 22

Intermediate Men

John Lam 20, Mark Wieler (ass.) 24, Kyle Waring 26,  Patrick Burnham 47, Stefan Jacobsen DNF

Intermediate Women

Vicki Boyd 1, Deb Epps 5, Judy Villeneuve 8, Charlene Stewart 9, Glenda Harling (associate) 10,

Masters

Ian Smith 1, Rob Russell 3, Paul Thompson 5, Ron Hewitson 12, Kirby Villeneuve 20,  Shepherd Stewart 21, Menno Jongsma 27, Shawn Boyd 29, Gary Croome (ass.) 31, Derek Steel 34, Iain Hay 50

Expert women

Janna Gillick 4

Here are a few photographs from the event.

MIVA Cyclo-cross Clinic and Race # 4 After a review of skills and techniques covered in the previous weeks, the participants rode a number of alternating slow and fast laps of a short, tight circuit. features included a 30 metre 33% climb, a fast, downhill chicane, a twisty section through a copse, and a couple of fast, straight stretches..

Once all were familiar with the course, the session ended with a 15 minute race, the women starting off a minute ahead of the men.. There was a mix of bikes, with all but two of the men on CX machines and all but one of the ladies on MTB's, some of them full suspension.

In the women's event, Judy Villeneuve took an early lead and was never seriously challenged. Behind her, Vicki Boyd held on to second for a while but was eventually caught and passed by Charlene Stewart. Deb Epps in her first CX race dropped back and Nadia Plamondon, also a newbie, brought up the rear.. The top three girls also managed to ride up the steep incline as did most of the men

In the men's event, Ian Smith took a real flyer and caught the last of the women within one lap. Not far behind, was Paul Thompson, with John Lam and Menno Jongsma chasing hard. Ron Hewitson was also in the mix but was sidelined with a flat. Bringing up the rear were Kirby Villeneuve, who gradually worked his way up through the field, and Shepherd Stewart who lagged back. In the second half of the race, Menno had moved up to challenge Paul for second and Kirby had also managed to pass John. With just over a lpa to go, that was the order but unfortunately, Menno flatted and retired. Ron had come back into the race and was moving fast, albeit a couple of laps down. At the line it was Ian, winning by nearly a minute, with Paul a solid second. and Kirby a further 48 seconds back. Shepherd was lapped just before the finish so he didn't have to ride the final lap.

big thank you to everyone for taking down the course in record time!

For anyone interested, I've posted some pictures from Sunday's event of some MIVA members here.  I can send out originals if anyone would like them.  Great turnout by MIVA membership!

Seems the organiser lost count due to being on Alberta time for a week. This week is the final clinic and there will be two more training sessions on October 10th. and 17th. As Janna suggests, these will take the form of fast laps over a simplified circuit so participants can hone their skills.  Clinic components will include a review, hints on modifying mountain bikes to suit CX events and also how to execute a face plant with grace and aplomb!

Hi everyone. Oak Bay Bikes, one of the club's main sponsors, is organising a cyclo-cross at Bowen Park on Monday, October 8th. Volunteers are needed to help set up (8.00am) and take down the course, plus two people to help at the food concession. Free entry for all who help. If you are available please contact Sean or Corey at oakbaybikesnanaimo@gmail.com