Your MIVA president went to Java Expressions Saturday at  8.45am to see how many turned up for the regular club ride. By 9am, no sign of life but, just afterwards, Kyle Waring rolled up on his new Trek Madone and then treasurer Phil Birrer joined the madding throng. By 9.15am, no-one else had shown, so the duo headed off against the wind to Parksville via Departure Bay Road and Aulds Rd. Anyone out there with suggestions re. how we can arrange club ride times, days, etc. to better serve the membership, please contact us with your ideas.

If you like crosswords and live in the Nanaimo area, try this. You will have to print out to fill in. Answer key is at bottom.

Two more local businesses are adding to the rider perks for the BCMCA Stage Race on May 21-22. Gabriola Cycle and Kayak are donating some of their cycling jerseys for the participants as well as $50 vouchers for one of their well-known trips to all finishers

Roberts Place are donating gift vouchers towards their great meals.

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.