All those who didn't show tonight for various reasons – heavy event at the weekend, still lamenting the Canucks being beaten by the Bruins, working on the “Honey do” list, etc. - missed a great evening with little wind and just the right temperature, and the return of course record holder Don Gilmore to Nanaimo River Road. No teams turned up and the three lonely participants, Don, Kyle Waring in his new skin suit, and Dr. Chris Cameron who also bought and wore a new MIVA skin suit (and his pager as he was on call). All three riders did times approaching or beating their personal best and Mr. Gilmore posted a sub 42 minute ride to show he hasn't lost his penchant for riding rapidly on the River Road.

Thanks to Kit McCaffery for looking after registration and to the motorists and ATV drivers who all slowed down and passed the start area very cautiously.

Here is a  really good video explaining the basics of criterium racing. Thanks to Leigh Hobson and Spidertech pro.Ryan Roth.

MIVA TUESDAY CRITERIUM Boxwood Circuit, June 14^th. 2011

35 laps

Tonight's criterium was attended by a number of riders from

Comox. Thanks to the Grants and to Ray Wagner for making

the trip in spite of the inclement weather. About 8 laps into

the event, the rains came and there was also a two man crash

so the event was restarted with 20 laps to go and 10 of the 20

original starters remaining. Thanks to our willing volunteers for

bringing the registration tent down to the finish line so that

your tame commissaire didn't get too wet, although he's shortly

soaking in a hot tub to prevent further sniffles

( so no report this week.)

Thanks to Ian Smith for donating $20 towards the prizes.

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!