Looking at the criterium series stats. (to August 7th.), some significant facts should be noted re. the different categories CRITERIUMS

Youth:

15 riders total of whom 10 are boys and 5 are girls. Best turnout 11.

Seniors:

45 riders total of whom 42 are men and 3 are women. Best turnout 21 (20 men and 1 woman

TIME TRIALS

Youth:

5 total (3 boys, 2 girls). Best turnout 5

Seniors:

44 total (30 men, 14 women). Best turnout 15 on 2 occasions (5 women, 10 men)

The time trials have a higher average attendance, especially for the women, with about one third of the total riders for the series. The criteriums have a base of about 12 riders, with one fifth of the total series riders competing regularly. This figure is helped by the high percentage of youth riders coming to race, even though the majority are from the Courtenay/Comox area.

The new venue at Arbutus Meadows Equestrian Centre already shows signs of attracting more participants (and is a lot easier to set up!). The addition of a variety of track style events should attract even more riders. Look out in the near future for points criteriums, elimination races and flying laps.

There is a BC Masters upcoming road race Saturday, August 18, 1 p.m. starting and finishing in the town of Lake Cowichan. This event, open to riders 30 and older, is 65 km on quiet country roads and includes (two times) a substantial climb. Because of the quiet, challenging course, many riders return year after year.  The race is staged by the BC Masters Cycling Association and directed by (MIVA member) Dave Steen. All riders and volunteer marshals/judges are welcome. For more, call Dave at 250 246-3530. Editor's note: This event is well worth considering.

Youth Event, 30 laps

James Grant	Cycle University	M	38’26”	12
Brodie Hay	MIVA	M	s.t.	10
Mark Grant	Cycle University	M	s.t.	9
Jessica Reynolds	Cycle University	F	s.t.	12
Jane Harmsworth	Cycle University	F	At  1 lap	10
Conrad Gebelt	MIVA	M	At 1 lap	8
Ben Harmsworth	Cycle University	M	Lapped	7
Mykelti Berg	MIVA	F	Lapped	9
Cole Perkins	CVCC	M	DNF	1

Senior Event, 50 laps

Rob Russell	MIVA	2	49’ 14”	12
Andrew Grant	Cycle University	Jun,	At 22È	10
Andrew Attwell	Triple Shot	2	s.t.	9
Trevor Perkins	CVCC	2	s.t.	8
Paul Thompson	MIVA	2	s.t.	7
Ray Wagner	CVCC	2	s.t.	6
Rob Bau	MIVA	3	Lapped	5
Matt Allardyce	MIVA	3	Lapped	4
Bruce Perry	Ind.	3	Lapped	3
Janna Gillick	MIVA	W3	Lapped	12
Russell Berg	MIVA	3	Lapped	2
Iain Hay	MIVA	2	DNF	1
Patrick Burnham	MIVA	3	DNF	1

MIVA ARBUTUS MEADOWS CRITERIUM 120807 For the first time in more than two years, the MIVA Tuesday criterium was held on a new course.  Arbutus Meadows Equestrian Centre just south of Parksville has hosted a number of sports including indoor soccer,  moto-cross, BMX  and, of course, horse  jumping but this is the first time that a road cycling event has been held at the centre.  The management recently had a 620 metre oval dirt trail paved. The resulting  circuit is ideal for criteriums, having both sharp and gentle  corners, a good stiff rise and a great finishing straight just off the oval..

Both the youth and senior events went off without a hitch and there were many positive comments about the new location. The riders liked the safe nature of the course and the variety it provided. The organiser also loved the fact tha there were no cones or warning signs to put out (eat your heart out Midweek!) and no permit needed.

In the youth race, the wide variance in age, experience and ability resulted in a lead group of six riders pulling away from the rest of the  participants. This was eventually whittled down to four riders who lapped the rest. This quartette contested the final sprint, with James Grant just beating Brodie Hay, with fellow CU  members Mark Grant and Jessica Reynolds taking third and fourth.

The senior race turned out to be similar, with a  group of six riders lapping the rest of the field. However, with fifteen laps to go, Rob Russell rode  of the front of the lead pack who simply watched him take a few seconds per lap without any serious chase being organised. Rob stayed away and eventually took the chequered flag twenty-two seconds clear.  The dash for second was won by Andrew Grant, a Courtenay  junior who has recently resumed racing after a brief hiatus. The next two places were filled by Andrew Attwell and Trevor Perkins who are both new to the MIVA criterium series.

After the races,  Arbutus Meadows manager  Rob Bau indicated that MIVA would be welcome at the centre for the balance of the season. The fact that he is a regular competitor in the criterium series could have something to do with this!

No ride tonight - most of us are off and hopefully got a ride in already. See you next week in Chase River for a tour out to Cedar.