Aquarius Marine Crit -May 14

Wet and Windy

Thanks to the city we now have new signage around the Crit course.

Thanks to the city we now have new signage around the Crit course.

It’s tough having to make the call with the way the weather on the island is constantly changing. At 5pm Tuesday afternoon the course was dry, the clouds were breaking up and blue skies were shining through. At five thirty not so much, but the call had been made to go ahead with the race and with racers travelling up and down the Island we went out and set up the cones.

At six thirty just before race start the rain was gone. The road was wet and starting to dry out and we had seven riders willing to kick up some spray and race. The smaller pack did not make for a slower pace as Janna attacked immediately following the second neutral lap. From there on out it was a steady pace with an average lap times just under one minute forty seconds. Despite several attacks the pack remained close together with a strong headwind on the back straight making it difficult for anyone to get away.

In the end it came down to a sprint finish with Iain Hay taking his third win of the series just edging out newcomer Craig Gibbons followed by Kevin Park and James Sage.

Race Results can be found here

Series Standings are Here

As always a huge thanks to our volunteers for coming out to stand on the corners allowing us to put these races on. Especially Jack and Mary-Jo for their enthusiastic cheering of my first Crit this year.

The next race up is our 40km Time Trial on Nanaimo River Road this Thursday at 7pm.

Also up is the Cherry Point Road Race on Sunday May 19th. Traditionally a BC Masters Association race which has been opened up to include the Victoria Cycling League and Island Youth Road Series this year. Registration will be open from 11:30 to 12:30 at the winery, racing will begin at 1pm. Course Map

Guest User
The Women's Bike Skills Clinic was a great success

Twelve women participated in Saturday’s Bike Skills Clinic, instructed by Glenowyn Carlson (Victoria) and assisted by MIVA member Charlene Stewart. During the morning session, riders increased their confidence and bike handling as they worked through various skills such as tight cornering, emergency braking and riding shoulder to shoulder. After a healthy (and delicious) lunch, juice and goodies from Good Life Juice, riders headed out for Part II – pace lines and climbing. This amazing group of women tackled every challenge given them - well done!

Peter Richards
Rock City Cycles 2019 Errington 15k Time Trial

It was a hot evening yesterday at the 15k Errington Time Trial. We all enjoyed the change of scenery and the flatter course made for some fast times.

James Sage continues to dominate the men with a time of 21:06, and Janna Gillick was the fastest woman at 23:05. Janna also took home the Arrowsmith Cycles gift card for being closest to her predicted time.

The best modification of the evening was Luke Hubner’s surprisingly professional looking cardboard disk wheel!

Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers for guarding the side roads and ensuring the riders’ safety.

Next week we’re back on Nanaimo River Road for a tough 40 km TT.

Peter Richards
Aquarius Marine Crit - May 7th
DSC01903cropped.JPG

We had twenty riders show up for a blustery night, with a strong headwind on the finishing straight changing the dynamic for the Aquarius Marine Criterium on May 7th. The pace started off fast and furious with James Sage attacking hard and going off the front three laps in. The headwind was too much for him to escape on his own and he was quickly brought back to the pack. From there on out the pace remained high with several unsuccessful attacks occurring, but the headwind made it difficult for anything to stick. As a result it all came down to the wire in a group sprint which was narrowly taken by Iain Hay, followed closely by Kevin and James.

Thanks to all our volunteers for coming out and helping to keep these events running so smoothly.

Volunteers

Larry Dicker
Brad Temple
Graeme Copp
Tony Adema
Peter Richards
Brian Kuhn

In other news…

Coming up this weekend is the Island Youth Road and Track series race in Errington at Englishman River Falls Park. If anyone knows of any youth interested in giving road racing a try, check out http://islandyouthroadandtrackseries.ca/ .

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with registration, marshalling corners, and hosting a post race barbecue. If you are available to help out please sign up here.

Registration opens at 11am in the Englishman River Falls parking lot, racing starts at noon, and everything should be done and packed up by 2pm.

Reminder; this week’s time trial is on Grafton Road in Errington. Please pre-register here

Guest User
Rock City Cycles 20k Time Trial - May 2nd
20190502_195852.jpg

It was a slightly chilly evening for our first 20 km time trial this year. Twenty riders turned out to test themselves on the Nanaimo River Road course. Once again James Sage put in a great performance and was the only rider to come in under half an hour with a time of 28:33. The fastest woman was Tamara Zavarise with a time of 37:15.

Matthew Lamb suffered a puncture within the first kilometer, at least it wasn’t too far to walk back.

Thanks as usual to Patrick and also to Shepherd and Charlene Stewart for helping with the start.

Peter Richards