The time trial for Thursday, June 23rd. will be on Gabriola Island. Admission for this time only is free to offset ferry cost. Details to follow. Here is a view of the proposed route, together with elevation changes etc. Thanks to Charlie Cheffins for sending this information,

As with many other sports, competitive cycling, especially at the local level, depends on volunteers to act as marshals, course setter-uppers, registration personnel etc.  Those who volunteer their services for these often thankless tasks are the people who enable the rest of you to race! Just remember this every time  you pass a marshal or line up to enter an event and show your appreciation by thanking them.  This thoughtful act will show them that their efforts are appreciated.

Also, as with many other clubs, one of the conditions of membership in MIVA is that you agree to volunteer your services at least twice during the season - many of the members seem to have overlooked this.

For some good examples of what and what not to do whilst riding in a criterium go here. Click on some of the other videos on this site too. Take particular note of how to hold your line on a corner - and what often happens when you or others do NOT hold your line.

MIVA 15 KM TIME TRIAL Nanaimo River Road

^{June 9th.}, 2011

Nice weather tonight, no wind, mild temperature. Peter Stevenson,

Experience Cycles, won in an excellent time of 21' 28”, with OBB's

Warren Muir just 33 seconds back. MIVA rider Shawn Boyd rounded

out the top 3 a further 24seconds in arrears.

In the women's category, Janna Gillick, HCTC, did her usual winning

performance but only improved by a few seconds on her year's best for

the distance. However, Vicki Boyd, MIVA, did a personal best and

got within 24 seconds of Janna.

In the Youth category, Brodie Hay, MIVA, did his best time for 15km

to date.

Thanks to Kit McCaffery for doing registration and looking after club

clothing sales. The riders really like the Kallisto kit for its quality and

fit and we have had to put in a second order already.

Next Thursday's event is a thirty kilometer 2 person team time trial so pick your team mate before coming to registration.

Last Tuesday saw the first crash in one of the MIVA criteriums. Fortunately, only two riders were involved and just one of them came off and was slightly  injured. The riders took it upon themselves to neutralise the race (good thinking guys!) but this incident drew the organiser's attention to some items that need to be addressed. 1) Riders MUST hold their line, especially in corners and when there is a change in the speed of a group.

2) There is a feeling that we don't really need marshals; however, all the corners should be manned as it's only a matter of time until a vehicle wanders onto the course in the wrong direction and causes havoc. At that point you can be sure that the city will close the events down! If we don't get sufficient volunteers for this important role, the club will have to consider the possibility of paying marshals.

3) Lapped riders should be really careful when the bunch passes them. It's good training and skill development to join in with the bunch again but remember, you are not contesting any placings.

4) Don't take needless risks - these events are not the world championships and most participants would like to go to work the next day with no injuries.

By the way, kudos to the women for their riding; they were all safe and showed some real skill.

There will be a clinic before next Tuesday's criterium,so if you are inexperienced or rusty, make sure you are ready to ride at 6.30pm.