Despite the clear skies, only two showed up for the first time trial of 2013. Patrick Burnham was first to arrive, albeit with rear tire trouble. Luckily organiser Peter McC. had put his awesome new foot pump in the trunk to show turn marshal Dave Kenny and Patrick put it to good use, once the inflate nozzle's peculiarities had been figured out. Next to arrive was Bill Hutchinson, who was nursing a torn hamstring and had just showed up to view the proceedings. Then Leigh Blaney came cruising back from the turn, having decided to do a secret, pre-event 15km to see how the festive season had affected her. She too, decided not to compete as her time revealed that some serious training was in the near future. Last on the scene was Jason Hare who had that morning run the Westwood Lake trail and brave the chilly Lake waters. With the two competitors ready, the event started almost on time, with Dave, acting as official holder before disappearing up the road to marshal the turn Usually, traffic on Nanaimo River Road is very light but today there were quite a few half tons and SUV's on the road, most speeding and the driver of one of these vehicles had taken it upon him/herself to throw both the turn cone and the caution sign into the bush in true red neck fashion. However, Dave found the right place to stand as the turn was newly-marked. and all was well.

Patrick finished first, just 31 seconds ahead of minute man Jason who had made up most

of his advantage before the turn.

In the post race draw Jason won the skin suit, which will doubtless stand him in good stead for the coming season.

Thanks to Bill and Leigh for coming out to spectate, to Dave for continuing to be the consummate volunteer (and official photographer) and not least to Jason and Patrick for actually coming out to compete.

Time to party like its 2013! You are all invited to the New Years Day Run and Dip at Westwood Lake at 10 am. Anyone is welcome to join in the festivities as we start off with a social run, or walk, of the lake followed by an optional dip into the lake at the end. Bring a change of clothes if you choose to dip. Afterwards we all gather for free chili, coffee and hot chocolate at a social where we can meet new people and catch up with old friends. Start the New Years off right!

In the afternoon you can head down to Nanaimo River Road for the MIVA 15km time trial. There's a draw prize of a MIVA skin suit .

If it's not raining and the road is OK, there will be a 15km time trial on Nanaimo River Road on New Year's Day 2013.  Start time will be 2pm. Entry fee $5. Free pair of MIVA socks to all participants.  

Hurry - most of clothing gone!  First come, first served.  Skin suits are great for any events under an hour and a half. MIVA Clothing Blow Out - 2 days left- 27. 28 December

Skin suits, short sleeve 5 L, 1 XL $60

Skin suits, long sleeve 1 L,  $65

Summer vest, 1 L  $50

socks, red or black plenty of L and S $5

Remember, sizes are on small side - European cut.

President's End -of-Year Message to MIVA Members and Friends

 Looking back on 2012, the club's second full year of operation was a very good one. MIVA held over fifty events including: weekly series of time trials and criteriums, several pre-season time trials and a road race on the closed Duke Point Highway, cyclo-cross clinics and trainer nights, and the CTOR Cyclo-cross Championships at Beban Park.

Our riders competed with success in a number of provincial road races and cyclo-cross, including the provincial CX championships where we had top ten placings including Bill McMillan's 50+ win and Janna Gillick's master women victory. We also had several competitors in the the national CX championships where Janna was crowned as the national champion in the women's 30+ category.

We started a popular Monday evening series of club rides with the emphasis on female participation. These were organised by Ms. Gillick, with the help of Colleen Wtorek, Shepherd and Charlene Stewart, Kyle Waring and Phil Birrer..

The weekly cyclo-cross clinics took place in October in Beban Park and were very-well attended, with several of the participants greatly improving their results in the weekend COTR events.

For the second year, the indoor trainer sessions have started at Pleasant Valley School and will continue until the end of February.

In November, the top-placed riders in the club events were recognised at MIVA's second annual awards night at the Longwood Brew Pub and the board of directors was re-elected for a third straight year.

Finance VP, Phil Birrer has been keeping a close watch on the club's finances, competition director, Iain Hay made sure that the club race programme went smoothly and was instrumental in getting the Comox juniors to many of our events and taking Nanaimo junior Brodie Hay to a number of provincial youth camps and competitions, where he had some good results.. Women's director Janna Gillick increased the female participation in both club events and provincial competition. Publicity and promotion VP Kyle Waring coordinated the new clothing design, produced the attractive new promotional business cards and the great (but abortive) Cobblestone Classic poster, and set up the awards night video presentation.

For 2013, our weekly time trial and criterium series will continue, and the hill climbs will become a separate series. The club will hold a three race omnium (look it up on Google) in September and the COTR championships in November. The cx clinics and trainer evenings will also continue and we hope to expand our club ride activities and implement the club youth development programme. In addition, MIVA will probably field a cat. ¾ women's team in the Race the Ridge stage race next Spring.

To all of you who volunteered your time to help with the club's activities – a warm thank you. And to those of you who are not yet MIVA members – please consider joining the club in 2013. To the club sponsors – your support in the current year has enabled MIVA to become one of the most successful new clubs in the province. We hope that you will continue your valued association.

 Peter McCaffery