Sunday May 8

This year we’re building on the success of our Arrowsmith Bikes Hill Climb series and our incredibly successful Spring 50/100km challenge to offer something new and exciting.

Sunday May 8 come out and test your legs by riding all five of our Hill climbs in one go.  Five hills only 60kilometers of riding and 1200m of elevation gain.

Starting from Departure Bay to Uplands, then cut across town to ride to the top of the Doumberg, relax on the fastest descent in town before heading over to Jameson and Northwood road, almost immediately climb again up to Witchcraft lake then its off to the final and biggest of the Five -Nanaimo Lakes road.

To finish off everyone will return to Whitesails Brewing co. to check in, grab a recovery beverage and trade war stories of epic leg cramps.

Last year we had record turn outs for our hill climbs and many records were broken.  This is a chance to warm up for this years Hill climb series coming in August.  Come set a baseline for yourself or see how you do against your friends.  Take it seriously and try for the Strava KOMs or just enjoy a scenic ride around Nanaimo.

This is not a supported ride, so if you flat you'll need to have tools or friends with tools to help you out.  Also since it's a big ask to have volunteers standing in the sun or rain for several hours while you huff and puff to the top our check points will be by selfie with unique posters at the top of each climb.

1030am – Sign up and Registration at Departure Bay Beach

1100am – Riders off

1pm – 3pm Check in and snacks at Whitesails

The segments

Departure Bay Climb

Doumont Climb

Jameson Climb

Witchcraft Climb

Nanaimo Lakes Road Climb

Super Duper Climb

Please click this link and sign up for the 40k TT this Thursday. Having a 40k earlier in the season is beneficial as you can use it as a landmark to results later in the summer and see your vast improvements. The Rock City Cycles TT Series consists of 16 Time Trials in all, 6x15k, 6x20k, and 4x40k. MIVA is phasing out the on site registration as it adds a ton of time, which the volunteer timekeepers don't have much of these days. The start list can be created early and less confusion/delay at the start.

YOUTH Distance is 20k as far as point awarding goes. If a youth wishes to race the 40k, MIVA will count their first 20k lap towards the standings/points. The 40k time will be given to the youth as well for their own record keeping purposes.

 

Our numbers have been increasing quickly so we are ready this week to offer 4 different groups if necessary which means there will be a good variety of skill and speed levels. We will maintain our "no drop" mandate meaning that no one drops off the back without the group doing what it needs to in order to regroup.We will strive to teach you new techniques each week and comfortably practice the ones already learned. Everyone is welcome so we hope to see you out this Monday - 6pm sharp - NIC parking lot. Remember to sign up for MIVA and Cycling BC or at least be ready to sign a waiver if it is your first time out. Ride on.

A new MIVA record of 36 riders showed up tonight for the first 20k TT of the year in the Rock City Cycles Series. The large southern contingent of out of towners were a welcome sight as we had 11 first timers out tonight! For the skimmers, here are the results on webscorer or scroll to the bottom of this post: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=67408

Series Standings

20k Course Records

Homegrown BMX standout Ayden Houle continued his assault as he shifts into road biking. Ayden rode the MIVA 100k on Saturday, his first criterium race Tuesday (and held his own), and tonight was his debut time trial. The 16 year old obliterated the youth male record for the 20k course (which stood at 37:07) by hammering a 33:49 and knocking 3 minutes 21 seconds off the record. That is an average speed of 35.5km/hr over the hilly TT course, nicely done! Not to be outdone, 11 year old Ian Gillmore blew peoples minds once again with a 35:14 time, good for second place all time. Aiden Hare also won his father's $20 bet finally and rode a very strong 43:20 barely a minute off his PB.

Abigail Hare took the youth female honours tonight with a respectable 43:50 holding 27.4km/hr.

Janna Gillick led the female category with a speedy 32:48 (36.6 avg), followed closely by Lorrie Baildham at 34:20 and Kristy Mighton at 34:23 set herself a new PB on the 20k by over a minute! Kiyomi Schulz fresh off a California hill climbing camp took fourth with Glenda Harling coming in fifth in the female group. It was great to see  a large group of FIFTEEN women out tonight to take on the TT, including first timer Joanne Brear. A big shoutout to the group from Duncan who made the drive up to try their first MIVA TT, with Glenda, Lynn, Amy, and Loraine all putting in strong first efforts on the course.  Also setting a personal best was Tamara Zavarise cutting 11 seconds off of hers and chasing down her husband Lee.

The mens race was won by last years Best All Around Rider winner Don Gillmore with a 28:19 (42.4km/hr), with Paul Auton and Nicolas Kupiak rounding out the podium. Nick once again set a PB shaving 14 seconds off, on a road bike. Look out if he ever gets on a TT bike.. Series sponsor Sean Lunny and his flashy kit rode a 30:38 into fourth with Patrick Burnham taking 5th less than a minute off his own PB.  Nice to see Stephen Price come up from Victoria for this race (32:08 in his debut), Alex Mann from Duncan on the Cycle Therapy crew, and Daryl Chase making the drive out of Port Alberni.

Thank you to Peter McCaffery (and Wendy's daughter) for manning the turn around point, and to the many volunteers who helped with holding at the start as well as finish line help.

Next week's TT goes to the 40k distance. MIVA will be taking a lap split at the half way point 20k so you'll be able to analyze your performance afterward. Youth are still able to race the 20k distance however. Pre register here please.

Thursday night is the first 20k of the season in the Rock City Cycles TT Series, 630pm on Nanaimo River Road.

1. 1) Please pre-register using this link, don't wait until 4:10pm. Do it as soon as you read this. The 20 minutes before the start is super hectic for one person so I *really* appreciate pre registration, thanks!
2. 2) Please enter your estimated time. If you need to check last years here are the results. This will help me seed the racers.
3. 3) If you NEED to be early or late, please enter it in the 'notes' box during sign up. I can try to accommodate. Asking me as we're getting started will earn you 2 minutes added to your time as per the standard.
4. 4) Start list will be posted on the MIVA facebook page at 4pm.
5. 5) If you have a seasons pass, you're good. If you're a youth, you're free. If you pay per race, bring $5.
6. 6) Results will be posted via Webscorer post race.
7. 7) Did you hit that pre reg link yet? Thanks.