A new record was set tonight when TWENTY SIX racers took on the Departure Bay hill climb!In 2011 we had 11 (Stefan Jakobsen 6:52, Janna Gillick 8:27) In 2012 we had 16 (Paul Auton 7:05, Janna Gillick 8:43) In 2013 we had 10 (Justin Mark 7:08, Lorrie Baildham 8:55) In 2014 we raced elsewhere. In 2015, 26 racers and 4 year old records obliterated.  It's amazing seeing how strong the riding scene is in the mid island!

On to the race! Evan Luksay  took the youth male crown again, going 4 for 4 so far in the series.  Both Aiden and Abigail Hare rode strong races knocking time off their previous results.

In the female race, it was Janna Gillick taking home the course record and the win in just 8:15 (after her CX workout). The Kiyomi vs Lorrie battle raged on, with Kiyomi taking tonights battle by a scant 6 seconds! Lorrie holds the series lead by just 2 points (42 to 40) going into next Thursdays FINALE.  We once again had a strong group of 8 women come out to the hill climbs tonight, all of whom are getting faster and faster!

In the male category, it was another win for upstart Joel de Schiffart (4 for 4) in a new course record of 6:37.  Paul Auton hammered up in just 6:50 (2nd fastest time ever on this course) for second, and Nick Kupiak just edged Darren Vandergrift for third 7:05 to 7:09.  Reagan Lovig rode a swift 8:14 in his final race as a Nanaimoite as sadly, he is moving over to Sechelt. Reagan has been a huge supporter of MIVA the past 3 years, maybe we'll get a road 'race' going on the Sunshine Coast next summer....road trip?

Thank you to Peter, Jason, Ross, and Patrick (photos) for volunteering tonight.

But what does it all MEAN? The standings now look like this: --------------------------------- WHAT NEXT?

The Doumont finale is what.  NEXT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd, 630pm.  DOUBLE POINTS.  Winner takes 24 points, second place 20, third place 18, and so on.  This could shake up the standings, you have nothing to save it for (except the Cross on the Rock series!), so come lay it down! This is a 5.3km grunt climbing 218m, if the wind doesn't get you, a cougar might.  We start at the Pleasant Valley Social Center on Doumont Road (just off Metral).  If follows Doumont then right on Weigles Rd climbing until you run out of pavement.  Traditionally this has been held on a Saturday morning which yielded poor numbers (see below).  So I repeat, this is on THURSDAY SEPT 3!

Doumont Results: 2008: Stefan Jakobsen 12:27 2009 - 3 racers - Derek Brain 13:31 2010 - 6 racers - Male Patrick Paquette 12:44 2011 - (race 1)  7 racers - Male: Paul Auton 12:20 / Female Janna Gillick 15:06 2011 - (race 2) 12 racers - Male: Paul Auton 12:00 / Female: Cheryl Morch 15:51 2012 - 7 racers - Male Doug Merrick 13:25 / Female: Lorrie Baildham 15:43 / Youth Female: Abigail Hare 21:35 2013 (race 1) - 12 racers - Male: Justin Mark 12:22 / Female: Jennifer Gordon 26:27 / Youth Female: Abigail Hare 22:33 / Youth Male: Aiden Hare 22:33 2013 (race 2) - 8 racers - Male: Justin Mark 12:44 / Female: Cheryl Morch 16:02 / Youth Female: Abigail Hare 19:25 / Youth Male: Aiden Hare 23:45 2014 - 8 racers - Male: Ken Olson 13:20 / Female: Lorrie Baildham 15:16 / Youth Male Tayden de Pol 18:56

To make things interesting, there is a $50 bounty for any new records up Doumont, ANY category. Times to beat: MALE: Paul Auton (2011) 12:00 FEMALE: Janna Gillick (2011) 15:06 YOUTH MALE: Tayden de Pol (2014) 18:56 YOUTH FEMALE: Abigail Hare (2013) 19:25 I will have 4 crisp $50 bills ready, as well as the hill climb trophies for the winners to hoist above their heads!

Afterward we will be meeting at the Black Bear Pub for socials.  Even if you're not racing, come cheer everyone on.  The finish lines have been electric with the cheering this year, you all are awesome.

This week we are off to climb to Departure Bay Road for Hill Climb #4 in the 5 race series.  This route is an annual favourite, but being a busier road PLEASE stay to the side.  This is not a closed course.  The start point is at Departure Bay Elementary School, plenty of parking.   It goes up Departure Bay, then RIGHT on Uplands, with a final RIGHT onto Caldwell for the finish. There will be LIMITED signage on this route, as they would either block the bike lane or the sidewalk.  KNOW THE ROUTE PLEASE.  Start at the school on Departure Bay Road. RIGHT on Uplands. RIGHT on Hillside (the google maps name is Caldwell, but the street sign you'll see is HILLSIDE).  You'll see the finish there.

The route is located here, MIVA 2015 Departure Bay Hill Climb.

Pre registration is link is here.

Hill Climb #1 Jameson Road
Hill Climb #2 Nanaimo Lakes Road
Hill Climb #3 Witchcraft 
Hill Climb #4 Departure Bay *THIS WEEK*
Hill Climb #5 Doumont

Tonight's race was one of the odder races we've held over the years. After getting the start line set up I drove to the top to set up the finish line, on my way back to the start I came across an SUV that had driven off the embankment.  The 3 were sitting on the side of the road and said they were fine and that a tow truck was on its way.  This was minutes before our start, causing us to delay our start by 25 minutes as we watched 3-4 fire trucks, an ambulance, and a police car drive up to the scene and block off the road, essentially blocking our course.  A few riders rode up to check in on the status and the fire chief said there'd be plenty of room for us to get by, but no cars were being allowed through.  After a brief consideration of changing routes to either Meadow or Calder, we stuck with Witchcraft. With 22 racers out once again tonight to take on the climb, the earlier group of about 5 or 6 (Paul, Evan, Carole, Rachel, Sandy, and Tamara?) definitely were affected by the road closure as they were slowed almost to a stop at a few places, but still picked it up and rode hard.  Many were pretty certain that about 30 seconds were lost to that early group due to the holdup, unfortunate timing but still a great race, and thankfully that SUV didn't go over the edge DURING the hill climb!

The bitter feud between Lorrie Baildham and Kiyomi Schulz continued tonight.  In race #1 you'll recall Lorrie crushing Kiyomi's spirit by just 0.6 seconds, only to have Kiyomi claw back next week at Nanaimo Lakes Road by 24 seconds.  Tonight Lorrie avenged last week by taking the title by 5.8 seconds.  The series lead was pivoting on this outcome and Lorrie now leads 33 - 30.  Tamara Zavarise put in a great ride landing a podium spot as well.  Again it's really nice to see such a good group in the female category come out week to week and keep those numbers up.

In the male category, Joel Deschiffart continued his assault for the series sweep taking the win over Nick Kupiak by a very narrow 8.4 seconds.  These two have had a great battle as well, with all 3 races having less than 10 seconds separating them. Darren Vandergrift took 3rd once again and the podium stayed the same as last week. Paul Auton rode all the way up from Mill Bay for this, so it was unfortunate he was held up by the accident but still rode in 8:02.  MIVA welcomed back a couple of old faces tonight, with Brian Zurek and Stefan Jakobsen both coming out.  Stefan set the original record going up Doumont 5 years ago, September 3rd could be a bigger battle than Wrestlemania III at the Silverdome.

Evan Luksay again took the youth male title, he absolutely flew up the hill in 11:18 good for 16 overall.

LINK to tonights results LINK to series results to date 2015 Hill Climb Championships Standings

Thank you to Ross for starting everyone off, and to Patrick for once again being both the best dressed person at the hill climb and taking some great shots.  Most of all thanks to everyone for their patience in the confusion, it was unfortunate timing for an accident but thankfully no one was hurt.

Next week is Hill Climb #4 @ Departure Bay, this is a speedy one!  The final hill climb is on September 3rd (Thursday) at Doumont, DOUBLE POINTS don't forget. Pre Reg LINK

This week we are off to climb to Witchcraft Lake for Hill Climb #3 in the 5 race series.  Even if you haven't come out yet, we'd love to have you.  It's not always about the points, it's about pushing yourself up a gruelling climb and coming out stronger because of it. We will be starting at the mailboxes on Kilpatrick/JinglePot, same as week 1.  Please park to the side and double park if ness to keep it clear for residents.  The route is located here, MIVA 2015 Witchcraft Lake Hill Climb.

Pre registration is link is here.

Hill Climb #1 Jameson Road Recap Results
Hill Climb #2 Nanaimo Lakes Road Recap Results
Hill Climb #3 Witchcraft *THIS WEEK*
Hill Climb #4 Departure Bay
Hill Climb #5 Doumont

 Series Standings

Another heart exploding climb, another amazing turnout of 22 riders showed up to take on Nanaimo Lakes Road.  This is the series' longest distance wise (7.3k) and greatest elevation gain (+233m). Tonight MIVA welcomed some graduates from the Monday Night Ride crew, with Valerie Capewell and Rachel Moll making their hill climb debuts!  Out of the 22 starters tonight, NINE were women!  This is great to see the ratio changing and seeing such a competitive line up every week.

Taking tonights Female Category was Janna Gillick, smashing the QOM in 16:40.  Kiyomi Schulz avenged last weeks 0.6 second defeat by edging Lorrie Baildham by 24.5 seconds.  For only her first real year on a road bike, Kiyomi has definitely found her calling.

The Comox Valley's Evan Luksay again took the Youth Male win flying up in 21:29, good for 16th overall even, this kid is FAST!

In the Mens Category Joel de Schiffart again took the win (and KOM) by a scant 10.2 seconds over Nicholas Kupiak.  To put their speed ascent in perspective, they both averaged over 30km/hr while climbing 233m.  Rounding out the podium was Darren Vandergrift a minute back at 15:43. Ian Drown's fan club came up to cheer him and everyone else in, and special mention to Mark Wieler for hammering straight from work to arrive just in time for his starting slot, great dedication! Ken Olson also made his return, as he gears up for more Cross on the Rock battles with Norm, Peter, and Joel.

MIVA Hill Climb 2 - Nanaimo Lakes Road

Results via Webscorer here. Series standings via Webscorer here.

After 2 races, here are the standings: 2015 Hill Climb Championships Standings

Next week is WITCHCRAFT, pre register here.  Witchcraft is 3.2km long, gaining 162m, with an average grade of 5%. (hint, see this orange star? When you open the Strava link for this climb favourite it so it will show up) Thanks to Peter for working the start line, and to Patrick for tonight's photos once again.