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After waiting at Java Expressions 'til 9.10am this Saturday, your editor was about to leave on a solo ride, when MIVA treasurer, Phil Birrer showed up. After debating the advisability of arriving for club activities on time, we set out on a 60km ride. The route took us  through downtown Nanaimo and along Halliburton to just before the  Cedar turn-off where Phil was shown the short cut through the trailer park up from RONA which came out on Cedar Road.

Then the duo went out along the Duke Point Highway to the end and returned via Cedar Secondary School, up Woodbank (hate that hill!) and back down through Cedar to the Island Highway.

After that, they went back into town on Halliburton, then along Front St. , through Mafeo Sutton Park and along Stewart, up Brechin (hate that hill too!) and back along Terminal Ave. and Metral Drive to a well-earned cup of tea at the editor's humble abode.Thanks to Phil for waiting at the top of the climbs!

The ride was pleasant and rain-free but it would have been great to have a few more participants so I could hide from the wind.

Next Saturday, the club ride is replaced by the Nanaimo Randonneurs 50km /100km ride which starts from the BUZZ coffee shop at 10am, Registration at 9am.

In the last few years, many pro races have become more dangerous for the riders, with higher speeds, more technical courses (especially towards the finish) and larger fields. Sky team's Canadian pro., Michael Barry, has written a really insightful article in Velonews on the present situation, here.

On Saturday, June 25th. the BC Randonneurs are hosting  50km and 100km recreational rides in Nanaimo Region. All MIVA members who usually plan to go on the club's weekly ride should enter this popular event on June 25th. Registration for this ride opens at 9am at The Buzz coffee shop on Uplands and is $15.  You can download a registration form here. Route details here

All those who didn't show tonight for various reasons – heavy event at the weekend, still lamenting the Canucks being beaten by the Bruins, working on the “Honey do” list, etc. - missed a great evening with little wind and just the right temperature, and the return of course record holder Don Gilmore to Nanaimo River Road. No teams turned up and the three lonely participants, Don, Kyle Waring in his new skin suit, and Dr. Chris Cameron who also bought and wore a new MIVA skin suit (and his pager as he was on call). All three riders did times approaching or beating their personal best and Mr. Gilmore posted a sub 42 minute ride to show he hasn't lost his penchant for riding rapidly on the River Road.

Thanks to Kit McCaffery for looking after registration and to the motorists and ATV drivers who all slowed down and passed the start area very cautiously.