Tip number 1: Always plan to arrive at the venue two hours before your start time. Walk the course, taking note of hard and soft surfaces, depth of puddles, alternative ways of negotiating bends, drops and obstacles. Check distance between sets of barriers and  practise dismounts and remounts. Note width and length of start and finish sections. This pre-race course check can save you two to four minutes! For other tips go here (courtesy of International Cycling Centres, Boston, MA).

Several of MIVA's members are going to ride the Cross on the Rock series this Fall. Interest has already been expressed in weekly clinics in Nanaimo to develop and hone CX skills. We are looking at possible venues and days/times. Please contact pakamac@gmail.com with your ideas.

MIVA has now been on Facebook for about three months. Doug Merrick originally set up the page, hoping that it would be a great way for members and other to communicate about club rides and other MIVA activities. From the weekly report, it is evident that very few visit the site (or perhaps, even know about it) . You can find it by typing in Mid Island Velo and then save the page to your favourites.

With only the Nanaimo hill climb championship still left in MIVA's first annual time trial series, Don Gillmore has the men's trophy sewn up and Janna Gillick is a clear winner in the women's category. However, in the women's contest for second and third, only two points separate

Cheryl Morch and Colleen Wtoreck. In the men's division, Warren Muir has a chance to tie for second if he rides and

Paul Auton doesn't. Again, depending on who shows for the hill climb and who doesn't, Corey Friesen, Ian Smith, Bryan Rehill, Kyle Waring and Shawn Boyd all have a chance of taking third place.

For a bit of light relief (I'm serious!) go here.