Thursday night is the first 20k of the season in the Rock City Cycles TT Series, 630pm on Nanaimo River Road.

1. 1) Please pre-register using this link, don't wait until 4:10pm. Do it as soon as you read this. The 20 minutes before the start is super hectic for one person so I *really* appreciate pre registration, thanks!
2. 2) Please enter your estimated time. If you need to check last years here are the results. This will help me seed the racers.
3. 3) If you NEED to be early or late, please enter it in the 'notes' box during sign up. I can try to accommodate. Asking me as we're getting started will earn you 2 minutes added to your time as per the standard.
4. 4) Start list will be posted on the MIVA facebook page at 4pm.
5. 5) If you have a seasons pass, you're good. If you're a youth, you're free. If you pay per race, bring $5.
6. 6) Results will be posted via Webscorer post race.
7. 7) Did you hit that pre reg link yet? Thanks.

It was a fast night for the debut time trial of 2016, with 19 starters lining up in race 1 of 16 in the Rock City Cycles TT Series. Don Gillmore hosted an informative TT clinic that covered everything from gearing to cornering, thank you Don for sharing your knowledge and experience with the club.

MIVA moved to 30 second intervals instead of the traditional 60 seconds, which meant the timekeeper had to stay focussed and chat less. It definitely made for a tighter TT with some fast times as people had to battle to pass the person in front and avoid drafting.

Usually the first night of the TT series is a 'warm up' of sorts for many, but tonight the dedicated racers turned in some very fast times with multiple PBs as well as a NEW COURSE RECORD in the Youth Male Category.  Ian Gillmore (11 years old) hit it hard turning in a smoking 26:54 over the 15k (33.4km/hr average speed). The previous record, held by him as well, was 28:42 set on the last day of the 2015 season. Well done Ian! Aiden Hare came in with a 31:52, just 29 seconds behind his sister Abigail Hare, who rode a steady 31:23 to get her quest for another youth female crown off on the right foot.

The female category was a bit sparse with some regulars hill climbing in California, but the 3 battled hard with Lisa Mcleod taking home top honours in 28:44, and Tamara Zavarise just 12 seconds behind (and only 39 seconds off her own PB). Nancy Patterson made her long awaited TT debut in a very fast 30:47 (having never ridden the course, or this road even).

Nicolas Kupiak broke out with his personal best time to take the win in 21:20, an average of 42.2km/hr! One minute back was speedy Orphee Bernard in 22:24 also breaking his old PB of 22:50, as he preps for the Victoria Half Ironman. The TT Series welcomed back a familiar (fast) face with Sean Lunny of MIVA Sponsor Rock City Cycles coming out and setting a fast time of 22:56 in his first TT on this course, setting the bar high for the rest of the season. Patrick Burnham rode to a solid 4th place finish even with missing his start call and having to gun it from way back. Lee Zavarise also set a PB proving his hard work this winter is going to pay off. Nice to have Dave Patterson out for his debut TT as well on his way to his quest for another podium spot at Ironman Canada this summer.

Personal Bests Set Ian Gillmore Orphee Bernard Nicolas Kupiak Lee Zavarise

Thank you to Patrick Burnham for setting up the turn around, the cones, and the signs. Thank you to Darcie and Liz for manning the turnaround, and to Adam and Joanne for helping at the finish line. Also thanks to Don for acting as holder and giving tips to riders on their way out of the gates.

See everyone next week for the 20k TT.

Time Trial #1 goes Thursday April 14th at 630pm. It's been a long wait for many of you since the last TT at the end of July last year. Some have worked hard over the winter, some have set goals of knocking PBs down early. Even if you're not in race shape these early TTs are a great way of benchmarking where you're at and actually seeing your progress through the 3.5 month TT season of 16 races. NOTE: the TT clinic will run 530-630 prior to TT#1

Race Start: 630pm sharp Cost: $5, or get a seasons pass Interval Gap Between Starters: 30 seconds Race Start List: Will be posted on the FB page by 4pm today Register online via webscorer (with estimated 15k time) Have your CYCLING BC card, or bring a signed Trial Ride Release of Liability Waiver with you.

Can you volunteer? Please sign up and come on out. Free waterbottle!

For all the details of the TT race see the link here.

Presented by ROCK CITY CYCLES

The TT clinic will take place prior to our first time trial of the season on Thursday April 14th, at 530pm. The 15k TT#1 will start at 630pm. Don Gillmore has assisted many time trialists to becoming substantially faster through advice and minor tweaks. Some of the things that will be covered:

Postioning

• Crank Length
• Pelvic Rotation
• SMP Saddles

Technique

 (there would be bullet points below, if Wordpress worked right :) )

• Cadence
• Gearing
• Crank length
• Allocation of effort on rolling terrain
• Starts and turns
•  Climbing - seated in aero position - saddles again
•  Descents
  In addition to this, Don has provided a few places that people can go online to read up on pertinent info. These articles linked below would be helpful to read prior to the clinic. As Don says, "For me, getting low and comfortable on the bike has been dependent on saddle choice, and I've spent years and well over a grand on saddles to home in on what works. That's where it starts actually.  I remember the frustration when I hadn't found a saddle that worked, then finding better and better ones over the years.  At the same time, others, like those two bike fitters, have come up with similar findings" :
  About SMP Saddles
  Steve Hogg is a renowned Australian bike fitter.  He has an excellent writeup on SMP saddles
  Colby Pearce is "Steve Hogg certified" and has a similar take on SMP saddles. The second link on SMP saddles was actually the precursor to the SMP Primer that I wanted people to read

  

Sean De Pol has set up a volunteer signup system for the Coal City Cycles Criterium series, as well as the Rock City Cycles Time Trial Series. As with all MIVA events, nothing happens without a LOT of volunteering from a core group of individuals. Sean’s system should help people to pre plan what races they can lend a hand at.

Coal City Cycles Crit Series: This year Peter has agreed to train the incoming timer (it could be you) for a few crits and lend his expertise, thankfully.

Please click on the link  to fill in what dates you can do any of the positions such as timekeeper, course marshall (4), or registration. The entire season is set up in the system, meaning when you have a week you may not be racing, or are tapering for a big weekend race, it would be appreciated if you can fill in. The survey results from MIVA told us more crit races were wanted, so we listened. With this comes the risk of volunteer burnout if its the same folk week after week.

Rock City Cycles TT Series The timing system for the TT’s is using Webscorer (tap the racers name on the ipad as they finish). MIVA will have it set up ahead of time. We will need a timekeeper, turn around marshall, and spotter/holder at start/finish line to help the event go as smooth as possible. Again if you have a race on the weekend, or are injured (hope not), these are weeks we would love to have you come out to help. Sign up link here!

FREE MIVA water bottle for volunteering!