Please read about/support this great event to help raise awareness of mental health. Ride Don’t Hide, a community bike ride to create awareness and help break the stigma surrounding mental illness, raises funds to support mental health education and services in the mid island area.

On Sunday, June 25, across Canada 10,000 cyclists, in 31 communities (including Nanaimo) are expected to ride. In Nanaimo accommodates riders of all ages and abilities with two different rides to choose from 16.5 km and 52.3km. The 16.5-km event is great for families and individuals and the 52.3-km event is for more experienced riders. Riders can register as individuals, families or teams.

The registration fee is $35 for riders age 13 and older, and riders 12 years of age and younger ride for free.

All riders will receive a t-shirt, gift bag, delicious lunch and will be entered to win prizes. Top fundraisers will be eligible to win bike gear, an action camera, Fitbit, staycation, and other special prizes. We even have prizes for the best “helmet hair”.

Info/registration http://ridedonthide.com/bc/ride/mid-island/

Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters. Like our volunteers, we couldn’t do this event without their contributions: Platinum Sponsor Island Radio – The Wolf, The Wave, The Lounge, The Beach Gold Sponsor KJ Contracting and Controls Bronze Sponsor Coal City Cycles Campbell and Fairweather Psychology Group Community Sponsor OmTown Yoga Nanaimo News Bulletin

Supporters Vancouver Island University Generation Barber Shop Pedego Qualicum Beach Long and McQuade Coastal Water Store Thrifty Foods Remax Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition

Vicki Swan Administration Coordinator

Canadian Mental Health Association, Mid Island 437 Wesley Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 2T8

Tel. 250-618-1599 E. vicki.swan@cmha.bc.ca https://mid-island.cmha.bc.ca

This Saturday is a great opportunity to ride the Cowichan Populaire put on by the BC Randonneurs. You can choose one of three distances - 50k or 100k or 160k! Sign up here.This will also be the first ride for our newly formed "MIVA Women's 100" group which is training to do a 100k event on July 23. MIVA members Kiyomi Shulz and Janna Gillick will be leading these ladies so if you are interested speak to one of them. Hopefully we will see lots of MIVA members out there on Saturday. How will we know? Because you will be wearing your awesome MIVA kits I bet!

Yes it is finally summer!Monday Development Ride - roll out of the NIC @6pm - we have 3 groups ranging from about 24kmh and up. Come ride with a great group of people and improve your fitness and skills.

Tuesday Crit Race - If you want to improve your speed and endurance why not try a Crit race. Yes the pace is fast but hey drafting is encouraged. Volunteers are needed. Racers it is time to take your turn so sign up! A lucky volunteer will win a sweet Easton wheel set at the end of the season.

Wednesday Int/Adv Ride - From Rock City Cycles at 6:15. This is a good chance to push the pace up and ride with stronger riders.

Thursday Time Trial - 15k this week which is a great distance to try out or better your time. Sign up before 4pm on Thursday.

Sign up for all MIVA events https://www.webscorer.com/miva?pg=register

MIVA Women's 100 Who - Over 10,000 women around the world, including the women of MIVA! (See #womens100 hashtag on social media)

What - The Rapha Women’s 100 is a global challenge inviting female cyclists around the world to ride 100 km or more on the same day. It's not a race. On this day, MIVA will be hosting a female-only group ride in Nanaimo called the "MIVA Women's 100"

When - The ride will take place on Sunday, July 23, 2017. Start times will vary: 8:00AM (easy), 8:30AM (moderate) and 9AM (fast).

Where - Approximate route will be the MIVA Spring Challenge (North) route shown here: https://www.strava.com/routes/8431338 but a final route map will be available prior to the event.

Why - Riding bikes is fun. Plus the Rapha100 would provide a goal for the Monday night riders to work towards together. Having a local option means less travel time for those with busy schedules.

How - Riders would be expected to sign up in advance, but the only cost to MIVA members would be for the social afterwards. A waiver, similar to the Monday night rides, will be required.

The group would be split into 3, with each subgroup having an ambassador assigned. Ambassadors will be seasoned cyclists familiar with the route, safety considerations and will be prepared to ensure that the ride proceeds in a "no-drop" format.

Support, including snacks, water, washrooms could be provided at the mid-point. Options for a post-ride social are being investigated and details will follow.

For more information, please feel free to contact Janna Gillick or Kiyomi Schultz.

Well so much for summer.  17 riders came out for what was hands down the windiest race we've ever had.  The pack held together for the first ten laps, then the bell rang for the first prime and everything fell apart with the wind splintering the pack.  Four riders managed to keep it together and lap most of the field at least once. Full Results Here

First Prime - Justin Mark

Second Prime - Justin Mark

Third Prime - James Sage

First Place Men - Liam Sallivan

First Place Women - Janna Gillick

Thanks to our Volunteers who in addition to dealing with Drivers also had to address the issue of signage blowing away tonight.

All Volunteers are entered for the Draw prize of a brand new set of Easton EC90 wheels.