What a great group of keen riders came out tonight. Some returning faces and many new ones. We split into 2 groups, one a bit faster than the other. Next week I anticipate 3 groups which means that we really can accommodate different speeds and abilities. Don't hesitate next week, come out and try the ride!We are constantly giving pointers and advice throughout the ride so if you are looking to learn some skills and techniques this is the ride for you. We rode 20km tonight and will probably increase that slowly each week for a little while. Look forward to seeing you all again next week and maybe some new members too. Please be sure to: 1. Join MIVA. 2. Get a "General Membership" at least from Cycling BC. OR you can try two rides first but must print and sign a waiver before riding.

It's almost here. The debut of the Coal City Cycles Crit Series on the famed Boxwood Course. Permits are in place, insurance is set. Volunteers, fans, and racers are all set to go at Peter's mark. Register online is recommended, then you just need to do a check in. The reg table will be open at 530pm.

Fee is $5. Unless you have a seasons pass like the cool kids, in which case you can just ride up check in and blow your heart up going in a 1.1km circuit.

Time: Race start is 630pm. There is a Crit Clinic from 6-630 however, so tonight the registration table will open early at 530pm at the usual spot by the Longwood.

Can you volunteer? Use this form to sign up we would really appreciate the help.  

For those of you wanting to try out crit racing, this is your best chance. Janna and others will be holding a half hour clinic prior to the Crit #1 race at 630pm. Online pre registration will assist us in getting numbers set.  There is NO COST to the clinic. Come give it a try! CRIT Series brought to you by COAL CITY CYCLES

Tomorrow is the first Monday Night Ride of the season! For a quick recap on the Monday Night Rides please read this link. Where: NIC (Ice Center) Parking Lot Cost: FREE Time: Ride DEPARTS at 6pm sharp. Do not be taking your bike off the rack at 559pm unless you like to play catch up. Speed: 20-24km/hr, no hammering. This ride is about getting people comfortable in a group setting.

Please have your MIVA Membership complete for 2016. Cycling BC: you may ride two 'freebies' prior to taking out your license. Please bring the Trial Ride Release of Liability Waiver with you to hand to the ride leader (Mike). He won't have any with him, and has had to turn people away in the past. Print, sign, put in your rear pocket :)

SPONSORED BY KIYO SPA!

The TT clinic will take place prior to our first time trial of the season on Thursday April 14th, at 530pm. The 15k TT#1 will start at 630pm. Don Gillmore has assisted many time trialists to becoming substantially faster through advice and minor tweaks. Some of the things that will be covered:

Postioning

• Crank Length
• Pelvic Rotation
• SMP Saddles

Technique

 (there would be bullet points below, if Wordpress worked right :) )

• Cadence
• Gearing
• Crank length
• Allocation of effort on rolling terrain
• Starts and turns
•  Climbing - seated in aero position - saddles again
•  Descents
  In addition to this, Don has provided a few places that people can go online to read up on pertinent info. These articles linked below would be helpful to read prior to the clinic. As Don says, "For me, getting low and comfortable on the bike has been dependent on saddle choice, and I've spent years and well over a grand on saddles to home in on what works. That's where it starts actually.  I remember the frustration when I hadn't found a saddle that worked, then finding better and better ones over the years.  At the same time, others, like those two bike fitters, have come up with similar findings" :
  About SMP Saddles
  Steve Hogg is a renowned Australian bike fitter.  He has an excellent writeup on SMP saddles
  Colby Pearce is "Steve Hogg certified" and has a similar take on SMP saddles. The second link on SMP saddles was actually the precursor to the SMP Primer that I wanted people to read