As most are aware, MIVA is organising the British Columbia Masters' Stage Race on May 21st.-22nd. We really need several volunteers so please email your name if you are able to work one or both days. For full details on the event, go here.

The skies were dark and overcast as I left home to set up the course for tonight's 15km team time trial. As I drove up Nanaimo Mines Road towards the start, the heavy rain, which had been pouring on and off during the afternoon, started up again. Arriving at the registration area, I saw only one vehicle there – John Hannon's Honda Element. I guess, being an ex-Brit like me, he was made of sterner stuff than the homegrown Canadians and didn't mind a little rain down the back of his jacket.

Since no-one else showed. John was timed and given the 12 points for winning and one of the Clara Hughes posters that all starters had been promised.

Afterwards, we debated the reasons why the local riders don't ride in the rain. You'd think that the roadies would need to know how to handle wet roads and rooster tails of water coming off the wheels. . We found the non-appearance of any of the HCTC triathletes especially odd, since they are always soaking wet when they transfer from the swim to the run.

One good thing about tonight was I got home in time to see Doc Martin and Newhart.

Charlie Cheffins, one of the Gabriola cycling group, had his Cannondale stolen a couple of days ago. He thinks it is no longer on Gabriola and may be in the Nanaimo area. Please keep your eyes skinned and call  Charlie at 250 247 9966. The bike serial number is U094314

If you haven't marked this one on you calendar already, do it now. The Gabriola stages of the race on the 21st. of May will be the best rides in any of the BC Masters' series this year and there's the bonus of being able to examine the Varna HPV world record holder and chat with builder Georgi Georgiev,  The $30 entry fee is half what it should be so the ferry cost over to Gabriola shouldn't hurt your pocket. Make this the most successful masters' race to date.

Tonight's Boxwood criterium saw 12 starters. Not a lot but the numbers are gradually climbing. After a couple of neutralised laps, the bunch picked up the pace, leaving novice Drew Cooper out in the wind. At the first prime, it was Ian Smith easily winning the sprint from Lionel Space (MIVA) Soon afterwards, Everti's rapid master rider, Mike Sevcov, sprinted off the front but was pulled back within three laps. Then Chris Cameron (NRC), last week's winner cruised off the front of the pack, taking new road rider Mark Wieler with him. They were caught within a lap and Ron Hewitson, (Nanaimo MTB Club) surged ahead.

By the end of the lap, he too had been reined in and Sevcov again took up the lead at the bell for the second prime. Ian Smith (MIVA associate) stretched out the pack with a rapid acceleration, caught Sevcov and took the prime.. Sevcov then managed to bridge up to him and the pair stayed away for the next three laps.

Cameron , not content to let the duo make any time on the group, bridged with Wieler and the pair stayed away but were soon joined by Sevcov and Hewitson. However, with seven laps to go, the race came together again with Smith adding the third prime to his spoils.

For the remaining six laps, the group stayed together until the final sprint. Ron Hewitson was ideally placed as they came round the final corner and stole the win with Smith and Chris Cameron coming in second and third.

The race was notable in that only three of the original twelve starters were lapped and seven were still together at the end.

Three new members joined MIVA this evening and the club membership is now up to fifty-four.

Thanks to cone man Iain Hay, to son, Brodie for looking after the lap board and bell and to Kit McCaffery for registration and controlling our incorrigible Springer, Socks.

RESULTS

1	Ron Hewitson	Nanaimo MTB Club	51-05
2	Ian Smith	NRC/MIVA	s.t.
3	Chris Cameron	NRC/MIVA	s.t.
4	Charles Hamer	MIVA	s.t.
5	Mike Sevcov	Everti	s.t.
6	Kirby Villeneuve	Nanaimo MTB Club	s.t.
7	Iain Hay	MIVA	s.t.
8	Mark Wieler	MIVA	s.t.
9	Rob Bau	MIVA	At 1 lap
10	Bill McMillan	Nanaimo MTB Club	At 1 lap
11	Drew Cooper	MIVA	Lapped
	Lionel Space	MIVA	DNF

Primes

1       Ian Smith   2. Ian Smith    3 Ian Smith