While many of the riders were thankful it wasn't another points crit, the headwind coming down the finishing straight over the finish line had me wishing otherwise. It was a fast race tonight with riders taking advantage of the tailwind up the back straight to push the pace into the top corner on Meredith and Tulsa before the headwind forced the pack into a paceline over the line.  Ten laps into the race just as promised by Phil the was sounded for the first prime.  James Sage must have been the only one who remembered Phils comment and attacked into the wind well before the finish line and before the siren.  The pack seemed caught off guard by this and didn't form a solid chase until they hit the back straight where James was able to keep his lead with the tail wind.  Sean Lunney managed to close the gap and from there the two of them formed a break away slowly taking time out of the pack and managing to lap the field before the end of the race.

Full results and Lap times here

Thank you to our volunteers tonight who have all been entered into our draw prize for a set of Easton EC90 wheels.

Tonights Criterium was a points race.  With riders sprinting for points or just to hang on every five laps everyone was feeling the burn by the end of the race. LAP TIMES tonight for the most part were slower than the usual races on this course, but when you consider the amount of acceleration needed to cut 20 seconds off of 1km lap you can see just how hard they were working out there.

It was also nice to see local RCMP out patrolling the course and assisting our marshalls with the occasional difficult motorist during our race. //embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js

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Racing in Sunshine on a Tuesday night.  Definitely a welcome change from what we're used to seeing.  A small turn out with only 15riders taking the line. Not surprising considering all the events that took place this weekend.  The highlight of which from a road cycling perspective was the Robert Cameron Law Series in Victoria.  We had quite a few members down to participate and spectate; including Janna Gillick who took third in the final Sprint of the criterium and third overall in the Omnium. We ran a 35 lap race with two Primes, the first Prime went off after 12laps and went to Nick Kupiak and his new chainrings.  We rang the bell for the second Prime with 9laps to go before the finish.  Chris Cameron dropped the hammer and showed the young guns how it's done, making it look easy as he took the sprint.  After that things settled down while everyone recovered and planned for the final sprint.  It was a close finish with Nick taking the win over Liam

I have to apologize, I totally forgot to hand out prizes for the Primes at the end of the race, so Nick and Chris will definitely have to come out for next weeks race which will be a Points race.

Full Results and Lap Times Here

A points race for those who don't know is a race where there is a sprint every five laps with points awarded to the first three riders over the line.  Points are double on the final lap, but the final finishing position for the riders is based on total points earned through out the race.  So in theory the race winner could be the tenth rider over the line on the last lap if they won enough sprints throughout the race.

It's definitely a fun race to watch so even if you're not interested in racing you should still come out to watch and cheer, or volunteer and help out.

Thanks again to our volunteers Rachel, Jim, Peter, Lorrie and Kiyomi who have all been entered for a chance to win a brand new set of Easton EC90 wheels worth over $2000.

 

What a weekend we have ahead of us here.

The on again off again weather we've been having is looking to turn around again bringing the sunshine.

To kick it off we have our weekly time trial out on Nanaimo River Road.  Pre Register here for tonights short and sweet 15km race.  We already have enough volunteers so come out for a last minute tune up before racing this weekend.

Tomorrow night kicks off the Robert Cameron Law Cycling Series in Victoria with the Energy Lab Time trial on Dallas road.  Saturday is the Schwalbe Cycling Classic road race out in Metchosin and Sunday is all about Criteriums with Racing at the Legislature grounds in Victoria from 8am to 2pm.  Even if you're not racing I recommend coming out to watch and cheer on Sunday as it's going to be one heck of an event.

If trees and dirt are more your style Islandcup series has you covered as they return to Cumberland on Sunday for the Coal Town classic xc marathon race. Registration closes Friday at midnight

Not interested in Racing but looking to build your fitness Kiyomi will be leading a 'No Drop' Group ride from Rock City Cycles this Saturday.

This Saturday the BC Randonneurs are also running the Cowichan Populaire, a scenic tour through the Cowichan valley.

If none of that suits your taste or schedule you can always join our facebook group here and post about and set up your own group rides.

Please read about/support this great event to help raise awareness of mental health. Ride Don’t Hide, a community bike ride to create awareness and help break the stigma surrounding mental illness, raises funds to support mental health education and services in the mid island area.

On Sunday, June 25, across Canada 10,000 cyclists, in 31 communities (including Nanaimo) are expected to ride. In Nanaimo accommodates riders of all ages and abilities with two different rides to choose from 16.5 km and 52.3km. The 16.5-km event is great for families and individuals and the 52.3-km event is for more experienced riders. Riders can register as individuals, families or teams.

The registration fee is $35 for riders age 13 and older, and riders 12 years of age and younger ride for free.

All riders will receive a t-shirt, gift bag, delicious lunch and will be entered to win prizes. Top fundraisers will be eligible to win bike gear, an action camera, Fitbit, staycation, and other special prizes. We even have prizes for the best “helmet hair”.

Info/registration http://ridedonthide.com/bc/ride/mid-island/

Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters. Like our volunteers, we couldn’t do this event without their contributions: Platinum Sponsor Island Radio – The Wolf, The Wave, The Lounge, The Beach Gold Sponsor KJ Contracting and Controls Bronze Sponsor Coal City Cycles Campbell and Fairweather Psychology Group Community Sponsor OmTown Yoga Nanaimo News Bulletin

Supporters Vancouver Island University Generation Barber Shop Pedego Qualicum Beach Long and McQuade Coastal Water Store Thrifty Foods Remax Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition

Vicki Swan Administration Coordinator

Canadian Mental Health Association, Mid Island 437 Wesley Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T8

Tel. 250-618-1599 E. vicki.swan@cmha.bc.ca https://mid-island.cmha.bc.ca