The first annual MIVA awards night and social will take place on November 11th. at the Longwood Brew Pub, Nanaimo. More information will be posted as arrangements are firmed up but we can tell you now that dress is optional. Anyone who has a trophy from last year, please deliver it to 101-6224 Pleasant Ridge Place or arrange to have it picked up as soon as possible. We need to have these engraved for the awards night.

This Tuesday is the last Boxwood criterium of the year. Make sure you are there by 6.15pm to register as the race will start on time. Last weeek there were four women present. Let's see if that can be beaten this week. Any woman bringing a new girl to race will get free entry. By the way, Glenda Harling (Everti) who is comfortably in the lead in the women's category for Boxwood, was awarded the overall women's trophy  at the BC Masters CA dinner on Sunday afternoon.: Of course, her weekly MIVA criterium rides in Nanaimo contributed in no small measure to this.

Planning a few hard home trainer sessions this winter? If you are in the market for a new home trainer and are wondering about the features, effectiveness etc. here is a really good review of the different types of trainer - wind, magnetic and fluid.

Whether you are going to use yout trainer at home, or lug it to a  group session at another location, noise, portability, resistance options, durability, and PRICE should all be considered.

It's that time of the year when the road season winds down and everyone's thoughts turn to 'Cross. On Vancouver Island we have one of the best cyclo-cross series in Canada, the Cross-on-the-Rock races, coordinated by Frontrunners' owner and national age-group champion,, Normon Thibault. Various organisers put on the different events in the series and, this year, MIVA is hosting the Beban Park 'cross on October 15th.

The Fall "Introduction to Bicycle Racing" programme for Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Nanaimo has been put on hold until the Spring and will be replaced by a bike fitting and maintenance session and a workshop on road safety for cyclists.  Plans are presently underway to form a road cycling group at Nanaimo District Secondary School. Cyclist and teacher, Luc Begin will be helping to coordinate this with the school Athletic Director.