It was a fast night for the debut time trial of 2016, with 19 starters lining up in race 1 of 16 in the Rock City Cycles TT Series. Don Gillmore hosted an informative TT clinic that covered everything from gearing to cornering, thank you Don for sharing your knowledge and experience with the club.

MIVA moved to 30 second intervals instead of the traditional 60 seconds, which meant the timekeeper had to stay focussed and chat less. It definitely made for a tighter TT with some fast times as people had to battle to pass the person in front and avoid drafting.

Usually the first night of the TT series is a 'warm up' of sorts for many, but tonight the dedicated racers turned in some very fast times with multiple PBs as well as a NEW COURSE RECORD in the Youth Male Category.  Ian Gillmore (11 years old) hit it hard turning in a smoking 26:54 over the 15k (33.4km/hr average speed). The previous record, held by him as well, was 28:42 set on the last day of the 2015 season. Well done Ian! Aiden Hare came in with a 31:52, just 29 seconds behind his sister Abigail Hare, who rode a steady 31:23 to get her quest for another youth female crown off on the right foot.

The female category was a bit sparse with some regulars hill climbing in California, but the 3 battled hard with Lisa Mcleod taking home top honours in 28:44, and Tamara Zavarise just 12 seconds behind (and only 39 seconds off her own PB). Nancy Patterson made her long awaited TT debut in a very fast 30:47 (having never ridden the course, or this road even).

Nicolas Kupiak broke out with his personal best time to take the win in 21:20, an average of 42.2km/hr! One minute back was speedy Orphee Bernard in 22:24 also breaking his old PB of 22:50, as he preps for the Victoria Half Ironman. The TT Series welcomed back a familiar (fast) face with Sean Lunny of MIVA Sponsor Rock City Cycles coming out and setting a fast time of 22:56 in his first TT on this course, setting the bar high for the rest of the season. Patrick Burnham rode to a solid 4th place finish even with missing his start call and having to gun it from way back. Lee Zavarise also set a PB proving his hard work this winter is going to pay off. Nice to have Dave Patterson out for his debut TT as well on his way to his quest for another podium spot at Ironman Canada this summer.

Personal Bests Set Ian Gillmore Orphee Bernard Nicolas Kupiak Lee Zavarise

Thank you to Patrick Burnham for setting up the turn around, the cones, and the signs. Thank you to Darcie and Liz for manning the turnaround, and to Adam and Joanne for helping at the finish line. Also thanks to Don for acting as holder and giving tips to riders on their way out of the gates.

See everyone next week for the 20k TT.

Time Trial #1 goes Thursday April 14th at 630pm. It's been a long wait for many of you since the last TT at the end of July last year. Some have worked hard over the winter, some have set goals of knocking PBs down early. Even if you're not in race shape these early TTs are a great way of benchmarking where you're at and actually seeing your progress through the 3.5 month TT season of 16 races. NOTE: the TT clinic will run 530-630 prior to TT#1

Race Start: 630pm sharp Cost: $5, or get a seasons pass Interval Gap Between Starters: 30 seconds Race Start List: Will be posted on the FB page by 4pm today Register online via webscorer (with estimated 15k time) Have your CYCLING BC card, or bring a signed Trial Ride Release of Liability Waiver with you.

Can you volunteer? Please sign up and come on out. Free waterbottle!

For all the details of the TT race see the link here.

Presented by ROCK CITY CYCLES

Tonight is the first Weds Night Ride of the 2016 season! Meet at Rock City Cycles ready to ride @ 6pm sharp. See ride leader Angelina's post here for all the details of what this ride is all about. See you Weds!

Crit 1 in the Coal City Cycles Crit Series was held Tuesday April 12th. Prior to the race Janna Gillick hosted a Crit Clinic to review safety, race etiquette, and strategies to 17 riders. Big thank you to Janna for putting this on (and for wearing head to toe MIVA gear, literally) The race itself had 25 (ish?) participants, including most from the clinic prior, as well as crit sponsor Robin Dutton who bolted from work down the road and biked over. The weather had turned a bit nasty just before the start so it was decided in the name of safety that no points would be awarded for this race and no sprints as well. It's not worth crashing and getting road rash on the very first race of the season, thank you all for understanding the risks.

Thank you as always to Peter McCaffery for running registration and timing. thanks to Iain Hay and Patrick Burnham for helping set up, and to Tamara, Pascal, Autumn, Leslie and Monet for manning the corners and making sure car didn't meet bike.

As Iain said it was great to see so many newcomers out, and nice of Wake Luksay to bring a big crew from Courtney (including Youth Male Champion 2015 Evan Luksay).

Peter may still get a write up in of how the ride went perhaps. Again if someone out there is interested and willing, MIVA does need a timekeeper many of the races as this is Peters 6th (at least) year in a row of doing this. Please let us know.

See everyone next Tuesday at Boxwood!

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.