SlowSpokes Nanaimo is a group of Nanaimo cyclists that are interested in organizing and participating in social/recreational no-drop bike rides in the Nanaimo area. Everyone (they have no age limit) is welcome to join them on any of their rides. They are not racers and slow riders are more than welcome (hence the name). Their mission is to ride and then ride some more. They normally have at least two to three rides per week on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays and also do an invaluable job helping the Hub City Bicycle CO-OP to keep their store in order. Contact them at www.slowspokes.ca

on June 8th. and 9th. the Vypers cycling club is organising the provincial youth road cycling championships in Comox. MIVA is assisting them with a supply of volunteers. Any MIVA members who are able to assist with this event, please email info@bikeracing.ca. Since this is a two day series of races, accommodation is available in a very nice facility for only $25 per night. Spouses are welcome.

This is a great way for the club members to get involved in race organisation. This is important for MIVA because the club is putting on a two day omnium event in the Nanaimo area in August

See if you can complete your chosen distance within your chosen time. On Sunday, March 24th. MIVA runs its first timed group rides. Both the 50 kilometre and hundred kilometre rides  start and finish at the Longwood Brew Pub, one of MIVA's sponsors. The fifty km goes up to Parksville Serious Coffee and back, for the most part avoiding the Island Highway. The hundred km continues past Parksville and continues through Errington and Coombs to turn back at Qualicum Beach,  and follow the Sunshine route to Parksville and on to the finish. 50km participants can choose to complete the ride in under two or three hours, while the 100km cyclists can choose to finish their ride in less than three, four or five hour, five or six hours. The start times are staggered so that all finishers should arrive between one and two in the afternoon. To ensure that all participants do the entire course, all are given route cards which should be filled in as they pass various check points.

Start times

100km:  in 6 hr.- 8am, in 5 hr.-9am,  in 4 hr.-10am, in 3 hr.-10.30am                       50km:  in 3hr.-10.45am, in 2 hr.- 11.30am

Registration opposite the Longwood Brew Pub opens at 7.45am. Entry fee for either distance is $10. Non club members need to take out a full or associate mebership as you must be covered by our insurance policy while doing the ride. Membership forms will be available at registration.

For further information info@bikeracing,ca

There will be a social gathering in the upstairs room at Longwood Brew  Pub. where you can order food and drink.

MIVA is organising 50km and 100km reliability trials on March 24th. The registration, start and finish  will be at Longwood Brew Pub and both routes will be northwest. The 50 km will turn at Serious Coffee in Parksville and the 100km will be an extension of this, going up to Coombes and Qualicum Beach. Participants in either event can choose a time in which they expert to complete the ride. 50 km entrants can  choose 2, 2.5 or 3 hours. The 100km riders can choose 4, 5 or 6 hours. If there is sufficient interest, there will also be a 3hour category for the "hard" people! Start times will be staggered so that most riders will complete their rides around the same time and will be able to enjoy the magnificent Longwood Brew Pub brunch if they wish.  The club is also arranging to have the upstairs room available where participants can trade "war stories" . Registration is $10 and will be same day at Longwood Brew Pub. For further information  info, contact @bikeracing.ca. A map of the routes may be found here.

In Britain, the racing season is always preceded by a slew of reliability trials. These are timed group or individual rides on a predetermined course with checkpoints to keep the participants honest. They are similar to the "populaire" events organised by the Randonneurs. Riders can select one of a number of times in which they expect to complete the ride and awards are often given for those competitors who finish nearest to their stated time.  the route often passes cafes or coffee bars during the ride. Checkpoints are located at strategic points and may involve each cyclist getting a signature or picking up a coupon to be presented at the finish.

The chosen route can be easy or include some tough climbing, depending on the location. In many trials, there is an option for less fit, older, or inexperienced riders to do a  half  distance ride. The video and photos here emphasise steady riding  and staying together but participants who choose the shortest time frame will ride more aggressively.

On Sunday, March 24th., MIVA is organising a reliability trial around the Nanaimo Region. Distances will be approximately 120 kilometres and 65 kilometres. Participants will register and start from the Longwood Brew Pub, one of the club's main sponsors . The course heads north through Lantzville  and via North Bay Road to Parksville.  Then riders will return via a circuitous route  to Nanaimo and then down to Cedar and back towards the finish via Hammond Bay. Full course details and start times will be published shortly. Entry fee will be $10.