Reminder for climbers. MIVA is partnering with the BC Masters Cycling Association to host the annual dual hill climbs Saturday. The first time trial is a short, steep climb in Mill Bay at noon; the second, a 9 km climb inSouth Shawnigan at 2 p.m. Medals are awarded for each 5-year category for riders 30 and older. The Masters welcomes women and men of all experience levels to its road races, time trials and hill climbs, several held on Vancouver Island. You don't have to join the Masters to take part. An entry fee of $20 covers both climbs. $5 is added for non-members. For more, see bcmasterscycling.com and/or contact MIVA member Dave Steen at 250 246-3530.
Race #3 in the Rock City Cycles TT Series was another great night of TT'ing on Nanaimo River Road. 28 racers showed up, with 4 in the youth category, of which 2 of them tried there hand at the 40k distance even. For the skimmers, here is the results link: http://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=67971 Series standings are here. Note that some duplicate names exist, when time permits they'll be merged.
Emile de Rosnay of Victoria made the trek up north to take part in the 40k, winning the event with a smoking time of 55:01 (43.6km/hr), good for second best 40k on this TT ever. Second place went to Don Gillmore in 58:50, and third to Paul Auton also squeezing in under one hour in 59:58.
Janna Gillick took the female top placing in 1:04:23, followed by Kristy Mighton in 1:11:42. Kiyomi Schulz was just 5 seconds behind to round out the podium.
Abigail Hare led the youth female category again in 45:06, while the youth male category had 3 battle it out. Youth points only count to how they place in the 20k TT, however some youth choose to race the 40k to test themselves against the full distance. In these cases MIVA scores their first lap (20k) towards the category placings. Aiden Houle took the honours in 35:10, followed by Ian Gillmore in 387:33, and Aiden Hare in 44:11. Of note is seeing newcomer Aiden Houle place 10th OVERALL for the 40k in a 1:10:36 averaging 34.6km/hr over the 40km course.
This weeks TT is a 15k. Special note that it starts at 7pm from now on. The pre registration link is open here, take a moment right now to pre reg and save some stress for the volunteers. Soon all TTs will be pre reg so keep making it a habit.
Sunday May 8
This year we’re building on the success of our Arrowsmith Bikes Hill Climb series and our incredibly successful Spring 50/100km challenge to offer something new and exciting.
Sunday May 8 come out and test your legs by riding all five of our Hill climbs in one go. Five hills only 60kilometers of riding and 1200m of elevation gain.
Starting from Departure Bay to Uplands, then cut across town to ride to the top of the Doumberg, relax on the fastest descent in town before heading over to Jameson and Northwood road, almost immediately climb again up to Witchcraft lake then its off to the final and biggest of the Five -Nanaimo Lakes road.
To finish off everyone will return to Whitesails Brewing co. to check in, grab a recovery beverage and trade war stories of epic leg cramps.
Last year we had record turn outs for our hill climbs and many records were broken. This is a chance to warm up for this years Hill climb series coming in August. Come set a baseline for yourself or see how you do against your friends. Take it seriously and try for the Strava KOMs or just enjoy a scenic ride around Nanaimo.
This is not a supported ride, so if you flat you'll need to have tools or friends with tools to help you out. Also since it's a big ask to have volunteers standing in the sun or rain for several hours while you huff and puff to the top our check points will be by selfie with unique posters at the top of each climb.
1030am – Sign up and Registration at Departure Bay Beach
1100am – Riders off
1pm – 3pm Check in and snacks at Whitesails
The segments
Departure Bay Climb
Doumont Climb
Jameson Climb
Witchcraft Climb
Nanaimo Lakes Road Climb
Super Duper Climb
Our numbers have been increasing quickly so we are ready this week to offer 4 different groups if necessary which means there will be a good variety of skill and speed levels. We will maintain our "no drop" mandate meaning that no one drops off the back without the group doing what it needs to in order to regroup.We will strive to teach you new techniques each week and comfortably practice the ones already learned. Everyone is welcome so we hope to see you out this Monday - 6pm sharp - NIC parking lot. Remember to sign up for MIVA and Cycling BC or at least be ready to sign a waiver if it is your first time out. Ride on.
A new MIVA record of 36 riders showed up tonight for the first 20k TT of the year in the Rock City Cycles Series. The large southern contingent of out of towners were a welcome sight as we had 11 first timers out tonight! For the skimmers, here are the results on webscorer or scroll to the bottom of this post: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=67408
Homegrown BMX standout Ayden Houle continued his assault as he shifts into road biking. Ayden rode the MIVA 100k on Saturday, his first criterium race Tuesday (and held his own), and tonight was his debut time trial. The 16 year old obliterated the youth male record for the 20k course (which stood at 37:07) by hammering a 33:49 and knocking 3 minutes 21 seconds off the record. That is an average speed of 35.5km/hr over the hilly TT course, nicely done! Not to be outdone, 11 year old Ian Gillmore blew peoples minds once again with a 35:14 time, good for second place all time. Aiden Hare also won his father's $20 bet finally and rode a very strong 43:20 barely a minute off his PB.
Abigail Hare took the youth female honours tonight with a respectable 43:50 holding 27.4km/hr.
Janna Gillick led the female category with a speedy 32:48 (36.6 avg), followed closely by Lorrie Baildham at 34:20 and Kristy Mighton at 34:23 set herself a new PB on the 20k by over a minute! Kiyomi Schulz fresh off a California hill climbing camp took fourth with Glenda Harling coming in fifth in the female group. It was great to see a large group of FIFTEEN women out tonight to take on the TT, including first timer Joanne Brear. A big shoutout to the group from Duncan who made the drive up to try their first MIVA TT, with Glenda, Lynn, Amy, and Loraine all putting in strong first efforts on the course. Also setting a personal best was Tamara Zavarise cutting 11 seconds off of hers and chasing down her husband Lee.
The mens race was won by last years Best All Around Rider winner Don Gillmore with a 28:19 (42.4km/hr), with Paul Auton and Nicolas Kupiak rounding out the podium. Nick once again set a PB shaving 14 seconds off, on a road bike. Look out if he ever gets on a TT bike.. Series sponsor Sean Lunny and his flashy kit rode a 30:38 into fourth with Patrick Burnham taking 5th less than a minute off his own PB. Nice to see Stephen Price come up from Victoria for this race (32:08 in his debut), Alex Mann from Duncan on the Cycle Therapy crew, and Daryl Chase making the drive out of Port Alberni.
Thank you to Peter McCaffery (and Wendy's daughter) for manning the turn around point, and to the many volunteers who helped with holding at the start as well as finish line help.
Next week's TT goes to the 40k distance. MIVA will be taking a lap split at the half way point 20k so you'll be able to analyze your performance afterward. Youth are still able to race the 20k distance however. Pre register here please.
