This weekend's stage race on Gabriola Island and in the Nanaimo Region was really enjoyed by all the participants. The volunteers from Gabriola Island, who put so much effort into making the prologue time trial and the road race safe for the riders were especially pleased. These efforts were duplicated by MIVA's own members who did all the work putting up and taking down the courses.

Unfortunately, the participation was very poor, with only eighteen starting the prologue and about the same number riding in the road race , the time trial on Sunday morning, and the final criterium on the popular Boxwood circuit. A great pity because so many missed a superb and well-organised race.

For Kyle Waring's outstanding photo record of the race, go here for the prologue, here for the road race, here for the Sunday time trial and here for the wind up criterium. Results will be on the RESULTS page shortly.

Mainland rider Brian Nocheeze is riding the BCMCA Stage race this weekend and is seeking a billet for Saturday night in Nanaimo. If anyone has space, please contact Brian at:  briannocheeze@hotmail.com

The technical guide information re. stages 0ne and three has been updated to clarify the "no aero equipment" stipulation. Please note. Only regular road bikes may be used. No time trial bikes or aero equipment permitted for this stage.

MIVA recently contacted the BC Department of Highways and the contractors responsible for maintaining the highway shoulders. On a ride along the Island Highway this week, between Nanaimo and Parksville, it was observed that the shoulder was significantly cleaner than last week and there was evidence of brush marks and gravel pushed aside. All those who frequent this part of the Highway, please let the Highways Department and the contractors know that you appreciate their efforts to make cycling a bit safer for you.

Emcon Services Inc. Island Division Manager geoff_battimelli@emconservices.org 250 336 8892

BC Department of Highways ,Maintenance Programme Manager

Nicole.PharandFraser@gov.bc.ca    250 387 7812

The Mid Island Velo Association's membership has been growing steadily over the last couple of months. Full and Associate membership is now up to fifty-eight! The club should have pretty close to one hundred members by the end of the year, thus making it one of the largest clubs on Vancouver Island. Also, numbers of participants in the club's Tuesday criteriums and Thursday time trials are growing steadily. If the weekly club rides start to grow at the same rate, groups of MIVA members will be taking part in some of the largest recreational rides in the area. the largest recreational rides in the area.

Not bad for a club that only started its membership drive this Spring.