Do you want to learn to ride safely in a group? Do you want to learn some techniques to ride smoother and easier?

Do you want to meet some like minded friendly people?

These are just a few of the reasons why you might want to come try out MIVA’s Monday night group ride (“Begin to group ride” "Development Ride").

This weekly group ride became really popular last year which meant that we were able to offer 3 different groups = 3 different speeds. This means there is a group just right for most people.  It is important that you are competent on a bike but you do not need to be fast. We will maintain an average speed of 20-24 km/hr and we will not drop anyone - yes it is a “no drop” ride.

We will meet at the NIC (Nanaimo Ice Center) parking lot and roll out at 6pm sharp. You must be a member of MIVA and hold a CyclingBC license/membership, so please go to our site and sign up online before hand. OR you can try two MIVA events as long as you sign a waiver first, then decide if you want to join (nobody ever changes their mind:)). Cycling BC (any license/membership), MIVA sign up.

Our usual route is out and back on Jingle Pot road with a couple offshoots thrown in for fun (read hills). We will start out with a shorter ride of about 20km but will build that up as it suits the group. Pacing lining will be instructed and practiced where it works best on this route. As well this year we plan to do some instruction on simple bike maintenance and safety checks before some of the rides.

These rides are lead by at least one experienced MIVA rider who is there to guide you and help you feel comfortable in the group as well as push you a bit when you may need it.

Start Date: Monday April 11

Time: 6pm

Meeting spot: NIC parking lot.

Come ride with us!

*Sample of a route last year, more or less http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6558687.

Proudly sponsored again by KIYO SPA, thank you!

MIVA is proud to host the 6th consecutive TT Series, again sponsored by Rock City Cycles. This year due to member feedback, we have increased the number of TTs up to 16. There will be 6x15k, 6x20k, and 4x40k events, plenty of chances to knock some PBs out this year. In 2015 we had record numbers as we averaged 25 racers per event and 339 total race entries. I expect to smash these numbers in 2016. Location The race is in the same location since 2013, on Nanaimo River Road starting just west of the intersection of South Forks Road. Many cycle to the start line over the Gogos hill for a warm up. Here's the route map and google map of start location. It isn't flat, not much is in Nanaimo. But it will make you stronger, and there are plenty of fast sections.

Starters 30 Seconds Apart The biggest change will be that the interval gap will be 30 seconds between starting riders, as opposed to the 60 seconds we had used previous. The racers will still be seeded so the super fast are at the end, and we will try our best to group you with similarly skilled riders to 'give you a rabbit' up ahead to chase after as you make your heart come out of your chest. With the shorter gap between starters the race will also end sooner for most, as well as giving you more 'rabbits' up the road. No rolling starts.

Pre-registration and Start Lists We will be utilizing a webscorer sign up list to generate the start lists again. There will be a place in the sign up for you to put in your anticipated finish time (do not write SLOW or I'll add 2 minutes to your time). Look up last seasons times if you need to get a rough idea of where you'll be. If you NEED to go early in the lineup, like Mr.Steen who sets AG records then races back for the ferry, let me know in advance and I'm happy to help. The most stressful part is swapping people around on the fly 2 minutes before the start gun goes, so that won't happen anymore.

Speed and Fit Session Don Gillmore, holder of numerous TT records has offered to hold a 'Speed and Fit Session' prior to our first 15k TT. Don has tweaked many local time trialists fit the past few years and it paid dividends immediately. This will take place at 530pm at the start line on Nanaimo River Road. The 15k TT will start at exactly 630pm. More details to come.

Race Fees & Cycling BC $5 per race $50 for seasons pass  Must be a MIVA member to race Every racer MUST have a Cycling BC membership of some sort, bring your card with you. CyclingBC gives you 2 free club rides/races before you have to take out a membership, there is a waiver to fill out to use this feature if you're unsure of getting into racing. As Norm says with Cross On The Rock: bring your CyclingBC card no exceptions.

Volunteers We will need volunteers! The positions that are needed each race are a timekeeper, holder, turn around marshall, and spotter. Email to miva.president@gmail.com to get on the list. With family commitments and other pursuits, MIVA as a club will have to step up this year to run the events.

Newbies These TT's have grown in size over the past 6 years,while also growing into an awesome supportive group who push each other to get better. It's a race against the clock, so don't get hung up on what others are doing, especially if you're new. You don't need a dimpled aero helmet to do your best, come on out and give it a try.

Cancellations In case of extreme weather, MIVA will make the final call on cancelling the TT minimum 2 hours before race start time. Announcement via bikeracing.ca, twitter, and facebook will publish this info.

RACE RULES

• - Centre-line rule in effect. Riders must stay as far to the right as practicable. Riders caught crossing the centre-line will be disqualified. (When the RCMP came out to crack down on speeding here they noted a few of our riders not staying to the right as well)
• - There is to be no drafting. Standard TT rules apply, riders must stay 10m behind unless overtaking another rider (5 bike lengths)
• - Pass only on the left. Common courtesy is to notify the rider by calling out "On your left".
• - A pass occurs when the overtaking athlete's front wheel passes the leading edge of the athlete being overtaken. Failure to complete a pass within 20 seconds will result in a drafting violation.
• - Once overtaken, rider must fall back 7m before attempting to regain the lead.
• - Be gracious to your fellow competitors. If you are overtaken, do not feel compelled to re-pass unless you are confident you can hold the lead until the finish.
• - No blocking or impeding the forward progress of other athletes.
• - No parking west of the start line

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:

Arrowsmith Bikes

Birrer Sangret LLP

Coal City Cycles

Glaros Studios

Gio Creative

Kiyo Salon and Day Spa

Pacific Rim Bicycles

Pure Chiropractic

Robert Cameron Law

Rock City Cycles

Swet Haus

White Sails Brewing

If anyone is interested in some wheel bags for your race wheels, Rock City Cycles has 4 single fulcrum bags and 3 Campy single bags. $30 each.

Ok procrastinators, break that trend. Get onto the online store and get your order in. Close to a PB? Get that skinsuit. Doing Fondo's? CS allows versatile ordering of whatever chamois you require. Like a 7" zip or prefer to unzip the jersey on Calder and let it flap in the wind? You choose what zipper you like too. Already 35 items ordered, closes next Sunday Feb 7th.

Bibs = 11 Leg Warmers = 3 pairs Long Sleeve Jersey = 2 Hoodie = 1 Cyclocross Skinsuit(!!!) = 1 Skull Cap = 1 Jerseys = 16

http://bikeracing.ca/miva-club-gear-store-is-open/