The series finale of the Cross on the Rock season is 2 days away.  This doubles as one of MIVA's biggest annual events, with the My Little Pony Cross race.  The Cross On The Rock crew has been working tirelessly with MIVA's own Ron Hewitson to make this an amazing course and a great day.

Volunteers!  If you can help Ron out on Saturday with course set up it is much appreciated, please email Ron at rhewitson@shaw.ca 

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Norm of COTR has sent out a pre race note that many of you probably got in your inbox, but in case you didn't it's all right here:

Two days away from the last race of the COTR series for 2014.  It seems like
just yesterday we were all cooking in Cumberland and Bear X Ing.  We have
had a great season.  #1 in Canada.  Most racers per year.  Highest average
racer # per race in our 9 years.  More than 3.5 X the number of racers
coming out now than in 2006.  It still feels "close" though.  Harder to know
everyone's names with the (muddy/dirty) faces.  But we know the faces and we
know the names on the call up sheets.  As a Cyclocross "community" we have
built something great.  Inclusive.  Competitive.  Fun. Hard. Friendly.
Hard!  Racing is supposed to be hard.  We love to push ourselves.  We love
to earn our "rewards".  We love to race!  The amazing difference for our
series is how it is "wheel to wheel"....but it is with admiration, respect
and a handshake or hug at the finish line.  Let's keep this the focus of
Cross on the Rock and everything else will be a bonus.  Can't wait for
Sunday!


Series Final-My Little Pony Cross - Sunday.  Arbutus Meadows. Nanoose.

The trailer is in place on site. Incoming race director, Ron Hewitson is
meeting outgoing race director, Peter McCaffery today to finalize the
course.  Fingers crossed it is "turny", muddy, technical and hard!  The
M.I.V.A. club will gather tomorrow to set up the course.  Roland and I have
a million details and jobs to do to get everything ready....they will be
ready!!

Tent town should be along the paved road like last year....but I will
confirm and post on FB tomorrow.  All tents should be staked and secure.

A soccer group is using the main arena/barn during the day so be aware of
that group.  We will have it later for the awards.

We have heard rumours of possible special guest appearances from past COTR
racers that have moved away.
We have heard rumours of possible special guest appearances from past COTR
racers that have not been able to race this year.

*       Nanaimo Bar Hand Ups
https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/10768819854/in/set-72157637498021653
*       Mustache hand ups
*       Amazing Venue
*       Double points (anything can happen)
*       Series standings
*       Growlers
*       Root Beer
*       A LOT of draw prizes....think Shimano, Howard Johnston
*       Event draw prizes from our great sponsors
*       Series draw prizes.  Zed Wheels.  Naked Frame.
*       BIG Barn/Stadium for the final awards
*       CUSTOM series final awards
*       Best Photo Contest
*       Perfect weather forecast.

I will post some more course information on our FB page tomorrow afternoon
after the kids and I go check it out.

The big news is that the famous Naked Sam Whittingham will make his season
debut and last race of the season this Sunday on his brand new, just built,
Ti COTR fighter.  He has been given the green light from his Dr. after a bad
crash late in the summer.  Since Sam is coming he can do the draw for a
Naked CX Frameset.  The last draw of the day.  Each time you raced this year
your name went into this draw.  Brad Head from Zed Wheels is adding a set of
wheels for the bike as well.....just to make it even sweeter!

If I had a 1 in around 250 chance of winning a FREE Naked CX frameset or a
pair of Zed Wheels.....all I had to do it show up and race the series
final......I would make the trip.

Pre-registration here:  http://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=732 and
as it normal Pre-Registration CLOSES at 7:00 Saturday night.


Series Points
HIDDEN PAGE----SECRET!!

Roland has done his magic on the Series Standing results page so you have a
TRUE idea of where you are at before this Sunday's race.  If you have
already done 5 races...he has crossed off your low score so you know who you
have to beat to move up and who you have to stay a head of to not move back.
Check it out!
http://www.crossontherock.com/php/series-results/?series=2014&of=4


COTR Series 2014
Sunday Sept 14 - Cumberland. Coal Cross DONE
Sunday Sept 28 - Victoria. Possible New Venue DONE
Monday Oct 13 - Bowen. Kona Kup.  Provincial Championships DONE
Sunday Oct 19 - Farmer Bills.  Port Alberni DONE
Sunday Nov 2 - Speedway. Binab Property Group GP DONE
Sunday Nov 9 - Shawnigan Lake School. Ronde Von Hogwarts DONE
Sunday Nov 23 - Arbutus Meadows.  My Little Pony Cross.  Series Final
COTR Series 2015
Hard to believe but even before this year's racing is done our dedicated
crew of race directors is already planning for 2015.   We have the schedule
almost hashed out and we will fire it out in our last e-mail blast of the
season.  Knowing it will be our 10th COTR race season as well as with SSXCWC
in Victoria....it will be a season to remember for Cyclocross on Vancouver
Island.


Series is Organized by the Cross Council:
With the following cycling clubs; ASS, Pro City Racing club, MIVA and Trail
Bicycles-Eatmore Sprouts Cycling Team

Supported by:
Straight Up Cycles in Victoria
Outdoor Addictions in Campbell River
Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland
Ozzie's Cycles in Port Alberni
Trek Bikes Victoria. Pro City Cycles in Victoria
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

Sponsored by in 2014:
Outdoor Addictions and Island Cycles (Quadra Island) (55+ Men's Category
Sponsors)
Pearl Izumi
Rumble
Oak Bay Bikes Nanaimo
Cycles Lambert
Phillips Brewery
Shimano
Frontrunners
Nutcase
Naked
Kona
The Howard Johnston Nanaimo and Elk Lake
Zed Wheels
Trek Bikes Victoria. Pro City Cycles
Orange Sport Supply
Riverway Dental (Youth Category Sponsors)
Quadra Island Cycling Coalition (QUICC) (55+ Men's Category Sponsors)



Supported and Sanctioned by:



Normon Thibault
E-Mail: normont@islandnet.com

Frontrunners-Nanaimo
www.frontrunners.ca <http://www.frontrunners.ca/>



Cross on the Rock
www.crossontherock.com <http://www.crossontherock.com/>

CLOTHING SIZING SAMPLES

We are going with a new design for club clothing this year. You won't want to miss out on getting this rad new gear. We are also going with a new supplier, Champ Sys. UNTIL NOVEMBER 26th ONLY we have a fit kit for you to try on at Pacific Rim Cycles at 2129 Bowen Rd. This is your only chance to try on the clothes. After this it is using sizing charts only. Pacific Rim is a sponsor of the club so if you can, give them a little custom when you are there. You can always use some spare tubes.

This is an opportunity to assure what size you need, with no pre order required right now by any means.   Here is a link to Champion Systems sizing chart, they fit pretty true to size.

The design will be completed in about 3 weeks, with the goal of having NEW GEAR in everyones hands by late March and ready for the cycling season.

MIVA, I'm honoured and humbled to move into the position of president with the Mid Island Velo Association. I'm excited to continue being a part of such a great organization of inspiring people.

To those that I haven't met yet, I look forward to the chance very soon. My name is Corey Friesen, I've been a life long fan of all things bike. From BMX'ing to freestyle, from mountain biking to road biking, and from time trialing here to bike touring through Japan, everything good happens when you are on a bike.  When I moved to Nanaimo in 2011 I was blown away by the people in this great city.  With so many great groups to get out with, cycling, road racing, time trials, mountain biking, trail running, and running clinics, it was an incredible scene to fall into and I think we're all so lucky to live here.  I feel very fortunate to call Nanaimo home and to have a chance to help grow cycling in the mid island.

But you can't look forward without looking to the past and appreciating where you came from. MIVA's roots grew out of the OBB Wheelers, and the Mid Island region's rich cycling presence. For the past 4 years, Peter McCaffery has worked tirelessly to bring MIVA to where it is today. Peter's efforts have not only encouraged many people to get out and ride, but also inspired others to personal bests. All summer long, for 20 consecutive weeks Peter volunteered his time by driving out to the time trial course, setting it up, taking registration, timing everyone, posting results, and then doing it all again at the criterium a few days later.  The amount of time and effort Peter selflessly put into MIVA is astounding, and we're all lucky to have him staying on with MIVA to focus on the Velodrome proposal for Nanaimo.  The new MIVA Board of Directors has a good mix of fresh faces mixed in, all keen to spread the load and continue to promote cycling in the Nanaimo area.  A special thank you to both Kyle Waring and Iain Hay, MIVA board members the past 4 years who helped shape this club into what it is today with many hours of work, who are moving on.  Your new board of directors is myself, Peter McCaffery, Jason Hare, Phil Birrer, Ron Hewitson, Patrick Burnham, Cheryl Morch, Menno Jongsma, Mike McCarney, and Matt Evans.

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2 key things to get out there ASAP:

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1. MEMBERSHIP

   Our facebook group boasts 348 members, MIVA is well established as an integral part of the mid island cycling scene, and there is no time like the present to renew/sign up for your 2015 MIVA Membership. Register here for 2015, either with the downloadable form or online using paypal. By signing up now, you are getting:

   • Free (yes FREE) spin classes every Thursday evening from now until mid March.  Held at Northridge Fitness Center, Spin Night #2 is this Thursday (November 20) and you must sign up here to reserve your bike!
   • Access to MIVA club gear.  Top quality stuff showcasing some of the best sponsors in town.  Jerseys, jackets, leg warmers, arm warmers, beanies, you ask for it we can probably make it for you.
   • Insurance to cover you on all MIVA events from time trials, to criteriums, to group rides, to reliability trials.
   • Discounts on race entry to all events listed above, as well as the option to take out a season pass for the events.
   • A super awesome group of people to get to know in the Mid Island region of Vancouver Island.
   • You will be supporting the development of youth racing in Nanaimo as the club holds youth clinics as well as has purchased 6 youth bikes in the past year.
   • BONUS: for everyone who signs up between NOW and DECEMBER 31st 2014, your name will go in a draw for a FREE MIVA jersey.  A nice little gift for some member on New Years Day!

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2. MY LITTLE PONY CROSS - This Sunday November 23rd, 2014 @ Arbutus Meadows

   This is one no one should miss.  A fun super laid back no attitude insane heart pounding local cyclocross race.  MIVA is organizing it in conjunction with Cross On The Rock, and this is one of the marquee events on Vancouver Island, if not all of CANADA.  This is not just any race, this is the SERIES FINALE. There will be nothing but good times had here.  No one is being volunTOLD to come out, but just know we'd love to see you out volunteering, spectating, heckling, cheering, or even racing.  There's even a nice little gift for all volunteers.  Take this opportunity to sign up to race, but if you'd like to volunteer please contact your local MIVA board member Ron Hewitson @ rhewitson@shaw.ca and he will be happy to have you.  MIVA will have opportunities to help set up the course Saturday, during the race Sunday, and even course take down afterward. If you don't yet get the Cross on the Rock newsletter, click here and get on it!

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All the best, let's have a great season. See you Sunday!

Corey Friesen President, Mid Island Velo Association

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/midislandveloassociation/

Twitter: @MidIslandVelo

As always, thank you to our 2014 sponsors!

Cameron Law Cowichan Cycles Pure Chiropractic Longwood Brew Pub Glaros Designs Pacific Rim Cycles Arbutus Meadows Northridge Athletic Center Island Cycle The Buzz Coffee House Aquarius Marine

The final standings for this year's MIVA weekly series are on the results page. 2014 saw a good number of entries for the various series. Thirty-nine men, seventeen women and 5 youth riders entered in one or more events. The hill climbs attracted fewer participants, with fifteen men, two women and three youths competing in one or more races. The criteriums drew the most entries, with forty-three men, four women and six youth riders. Total women's participation was down from last year but, at last, more young riders are starting to come out.

Andalucía Spain Bike TripIf you enjoy travel, biking, beautiful scenery, fine wine and great food we have a trip you will not want to miss. 12 days total in Andalucía Spain in September 2015. This is a fully supported bike trip where we bike from town to town on quiet paved roads, averaging 70km each day. For a price of $2095 CAD per person (there is no tax on trips outside Canada), you will enjoy the following: • 11 nights accommodation • 9 days of riding with an optional 2 additional days • 11 breakfasts and 4 dinners • luggage transport from hotel to hotel • snacks • support vehicle • bilingual guides • bike route logs and maps • assistance in renting bikes if needed If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Lorrie Baildham (labaildham@gmail.com) or Nancy Patterson (nancypatterson@shaw.ca).