The club executive is considering putting on three more Sunday criteriums on the popular Boxwood circuit in Nanaimo. We are looking for Sundays later this summer when there is no conflicting competition on the Island. Watch for further announcements.

No, this isn't the MIVA Saturday club ride - but it COULD be. This Saturday,we checked out the appointed time and place - Java Expressions, Nanaimo at 9am- but not a soul was there! The club is trying to provide a real opportunity for Nanaimo cyclists to go on a recreational group ride but, so far this year, these club runs have seen from zero to four participants. MIVA now has sixty-two members, making it one of the largest clubs in BC. and the club's competition programme of weekly criteriums and time trials is becoming more and more successful, with over twenty riders showing up to some of the races. How do we structure the social riding activities so that they become as popular???

It's up to the membership to provide feedback so that MIVA can develop the kinds of recreational rides that will best serve your needs. Perhaps the club should just provide the racing opportunities and let members contact each other on Facebook re. non-competitive road riding. Just let us know!

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.