Another record turn out at the Transfer Beach Halloween Cyclo-cross, or so it seemed. Actual figures will be on the COTR web site. Great to see so many MIVA members (22) representing the club - and some super results. Brodie Hay moved up a few places to ninth in the beginner category. In the intermediate women, Deb Epps was going really well when she flatted, which put paid to her chances. Cheryl Morch surprised many with her great third place and shows a rapid improvement in negotiating the slippery bits. In the intermediate men, kyle Waring was the top MIVA finisher with the venerable Sister Menno (Jongsma) also showing good form despite his dirty habit(s). MIVA riders showed very well in the master men race, with Bill McMillan in fourth place overall and first in the fifty plus category, Rob Russell was close behind after leading in the early laps. In the women's expert event, Janna Gillick placed a very creditable third, almost taking second place with a final burst to the line. In the final event of the day, Ian Smith, riding in his first expert men's race, managed a top ten finish (ninth)against some of the best riders in the province. other MIVA results can be found on the COTR web site.

Go here for a few photos of the MIVA riders in action.

This Sunday, the Cross on the Rock crew are setting up a great course at Transfer Beach in Ladysmith. If MIVA attendance at the previous COTR events is any indication, the club will have over twenty representatives riding, with a good chance of winning in at least three of the categories.  All club members who are not competing should try to get out to Transfer Beach and cheer on their club mates who are competing there.  Bring a camera too and get some great shots.

MIVA has grown rapidly since its inception in 2011 and is becoming a real force on the Vancouver Island cycling scene.

At the BC provincial Cyclo-cross Championships on Sunday, MIVA participants did a great job. In the 50+ men, Bill McMillan almost pulled off the win, just being pipped at the post. Derek Steel did a great ride, beating many of the younger participants. In the men's 40-49 category, Justin Mark did a good performance, finishing less than half a lap behind the winner. The Men's 40-49 saw Ian Smith having a really poor start from the third row, but moving up into 5th. place by the end.  Shawn Boyd was just lapped and demonstrated improved bike handling. Finally, in the women's 30-39 category, Cheryl Morch also showed improved bike handling, finishing less than a lap behind Janna Gillick who is the new provincial champion! BTW, Janna's lap times would have put her in third place in the elite women's category.

Thanks to all who represented the club so well. MIVA is making a real mark  on the cyclo-cross scene.

RESULTS

Master 50+ Men	2	Bill McMillan	at 02"	Nearly won, Bill!
	8	Derek Steel	at 6' 57"	great ride Derek
Women 30+	1	Janna Gillick	46' 02"	Provincial Champion!
	12	Cheryl Morch	at 6' 26"	Getting better every ride.
Master Men 30-39	17	Justin Mark	at 3' 04"	Good ride.
Master Men 40-49	5	Ian Smith	at 1' 18"	With a better start, would have podiumed
	36	Shawn Boyd	at 8' 05"	Getting better.

NANAIMO ROAD HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP

October 20^th. 2012

 On what turned out to be a beautiful but brisk morning, only eight riders showed up to compete in the Nanaimo Hill climb Championship. This contrasts with last year's staring field of fifteen.The Bellingham cyclo-cross and the provincial CX championship kept a few riders away.

The riders were seeded in reverse order of anticipated times. First of was Brodie Hay who rode steadily and managed to keep ahead of Patrick Burnham, who had taken time during his lunch hour and wasriding on his customary fixed wheel. He had had upped his gear to gain time on the three kilometre run up to Wiegles Road but he was over-geared and struggled on the steep bits to keep the pedals going round. Next off and first to finish was Laurie Baildham who managed to improve on her personal best and was almost totally exhausted at the top of the climb. Menno Jongsma passed Brodie just before the finish and Ron Hewitson, who started one minute later, passed Patrick. The three fastest riders all had trouble stopping their rear wheels from spinning in the last kilometre as the road surface was quite wet . In fact, winner Paul Auton lost time, eventually winning the event but finishing seventeen seconds outside his record for the climb. Iain Hay. After the race, Menno, Ron and Laurie joined timekeeper Peter at the Black Bear for some beverages and a well-earned plate of he pub's delicious nachos.                Photos here

It's just a month to the Cross on the Rock cyclo-cross championship which MIVA is organising. And then the club's weekly indoor trainer sessions start.Watch for details of these on bikeracing.ca.

There is a certain perception among the cycling fraternity (and among the public at large) that, in their present form, the Grand Tours - of  France, Italy and Spain- cannot be ridden competitively without the aid of p.e.d's. Do our readers agree with this thesis and if so, how should the format of these stage races be changed (e.g., number and length of stages, number of rest days, etc.) so that they can be ridden without the aid of artificial stimulants?