Monday Mailbox – Results, Reg and Standings

Thanks to the 16 warriors who tackled the always painful Neild Rd Hill Climb. Enduring brief periods of sun, light rain, heavy rain, and more sun, in addition to the elevation, it was a great way to spend 7.5-13 minutes (depending upon who you were). Results for the hill climb are available here, as are the results for the VCL Velodrome Event (done as separate races, then combined as a series for VCL points).

Overall VCL Standings are available here.

And finally, Registration is now live for this coming Wednesday’s Caleb Pike Race – reg early, and tell your friends, all the cool kids are doing it.

Thanks so much to John E, Bruce F and Ian for making the hill-climb happen – you guys are the best!!

T

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Hill Climb Time – Neild Rd

Sunday morning leg opener, on your way out to East Sooke, or warm-up before doing repeats at Bear Mountain.

Come on out an suffer – its only 7-8 minutes of pain if you are super fit, or 10 minutes if you are a Clydesdale (as the writer is).

Sign-on is at 10:00 AM, and first rider off at 10:30. On-site registration only, bring cash (and race license). $5.00 race fee – incredibly value for the money!!

See you there.

Caleb Pike – Sunday May 1st

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, fingers crossed for a good-weather Sunday! The registration page for this Sunday’s Caleb Pike race is live – click here to register.

Racing Starts at 10:30 AM for A-Group, with B and C to follow with roughly 3-minute gaps.

Register online, make your way to the course, don’t forget your helmet and shoes, and get ready for a exciting morning of circuit racing.

Just a quick reminder that the Sidney TTs have officially been cancelled for all of 2022. Shortly after receiving verbal approvals, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure decided that construction conditions along the highway, and weekly racing in the same area were not compatible. So… we will due a little soul and site searching, and see if we can fill the gaps with something.

Finally, there are season Series Standings available on Webscorer. Click here to see the standings!

T

Velodrome Races this Wednesday

Apr 27th (this Wednesday) is the first of 3 VCL races at the GVVA Velodrome. To make it fair for riders on rental bikes, all riders will be gear restricted to max. 89 gear inch (46×14 on the rental bikes*).

On schedule will be Scratch race, Elimination race, and Keirin. Track opens for warm up at 6pm, first race begins at 630pm.

(you can find some videos from last year: https://www.facebook.com/westshorevelodrome/videos)

Those who have NOT ridden on our track or have prior track experience as well as those who want a refresher, please either a) show up early (~5-530pm) to get a run down, or b) sign up for a full Learn-to-Ride which we have one this Sunday https://gvva.bc.ca/learn-to-ride/ especially if you do plan to do more racing / training at the track (GVVA has weekly racing starting next month)

*those coming with their own track bikes, make sure you come prepared with gear options below 89″, examples: 49×15, 53×16, 57×17.

Registration information to follow shortly.

Upcoming Week – Registration Speedway and N. Saanich

Hello race fans, the registration pages for the next two races are now live. We have another Speedway race this coming Wednesday – click here to register. Then, we have the first North Saanich Race of the year on Sunday (24th) – click here to register.

For Speedway – start times are the same as for a few weeks ago. 5:30 sign-on with C-group starting at 6:00. The B-race will start at 6:30 and the A-Race at 7:15.

For North Saanich:
Beer! Frites! Belgian toothpaste! (hey mom this mud smells funny) Yes it’s that time of year again! @victoriawheelers and @oakbaybikes present the #northsaanich kermesse #vcl race next Sunday, April 24
⏱Sign on opens at 9:45 am and racing starts at 10:30 am for all categories
🥇A, B and C self-seeded VCL categories. As will do 16 laps (ca 80km), Bs will do 12 laps (ca 60km) and Cs 8 laps (ca 40km)

💲$20 for adults and $10 for youth racers
📝There will be online pre-reg available shortly, watch this space for a link. Or you can register at the race, please bring proof of licensing and a parent or guardian if you are underage and have not yet completed a VCL waiver
🛳This course is just 5min ride from Swartz Bay ferry terminal if you’re coming from the lower mainland
🍩Organizers rumoured to be negotiating a participation rewards program featuring highly coveted #sidneybakery treats
🪧If you or someone you know are able to volunteer your time for this event I would really appreciate you sending me a DM!

MIVA Update – Change of Scenery/Schedule

Spring is here!!

Despite this week’s unseasonal snow, the weather is beginning to warm up and we’re looking forward to getting back out on the road. Next week is when things really kick off and further down this email you’ll find everything that’s happening. First a quick update on racing this year.

A note on racing

Race season is fast approaching. It’s been a couple of years since we’ve put a finish line down on the pavement and the board has spent quite a bit of time discussing changes and ways to hopefully improve the experience and encourage more people to come out and have some fun.With that in mind we wanted to share a couple of the changes to the way we’ll be running the races this year.First off, if you look closely at the schedule, you’ll notice that the old formula of every Tuesday is a Crit and every Thursday a Time Trial is gone. This year we’re mixing up by throwing in some early season Hill Climbs, so remember to check the calendar/discord/facebook to find out where we’re racing each week.Secondly we’re going to be adding a B Race to the Boxwood criteriums. The B category is going to be for beginners who’ve never raced a criterium before, or aren’t sure they’ve got the fitness to keep up with the fast kids in the A’s.Third we’re going to change the format slightly. With running two races/night time is going to be a factor. So with that in mind we’ll be using a time limited format. B’s will race for 20minutes plus 3 laps. A’s will race for 25minutes plus three laps. So how many laps will you end up doing? That depends on how many people show up and how hard they push the pace. As the season progresses and we get more day light the races will get longer. But for now this will ensure that the B race will be done by 7pm and the A race by 7:30 so that no one has to ride home in the dark.Fourth, and this one is for the Tri-athletes in the crowd. For anyone interested we will be adding a timed run after each race so you can practice your transitions. When you show up let us know if you’re going to want to run and you’ll be assigned a wrist band. Finish your ride, change your shoes and kit and then head back out to stretch your legs. Distance for the run will vary from week to week as will the course from road run to trail depending on interest.

Season’s Pass

To make the most of race season we’d encourage you to consider a Season’s pass for $50 which will cover entry to as many Crits, TTs and Hill Climbs as your legs can handle. Alternatively, you can enter individual races for $5 each.Get your season’s pass here: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=273272

Next week’s events

We have a packed calendar for you next week, you can find all the details for this exciting first week of the season, and much more here:https://midislandvelo.ca/calendar?view=calendar&month=04-2022

Monday Night Development RideMonday, April 18, 20226:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.***Please note new meeting spot for 2022*** We have moved the start point for this year’s group rides to the gravel parking lot near the intersection of East Wellington Road and Westwood Road. https://goo.gl/maps/99hi6WUrP7pxg31p9.This weekly group ride is offered in 3 different groups = 3 different speeds. This means there is a group just right for most people. It is important that you are competent on a bike but you do not need to be fast – yes it is a “no drop” ride.

Boxwood CriteriumTuesday, April 19, 20226:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.2052 Boxwood Road Nanaimo, BCA criterium, or crit, is a bike race consisting of laps around a closed circuit, the length of each lap or circuit ranging from about 500 m to 1000 m with Boxwood being 1.1km.Crits are great fun, a tough workout and fantastic for building bike handing and group riding skills.We meet on Boxwood Road, just past the Longwood brewery.See notes on racing below.We will need 8 volunteers: sign up to volunteer here: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=273273

Time Trial clinic followed by 15k TTThursday, April 21, 20226:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.1099 Nanaimo River Rd Cassidy, BCAfter a two year hiatus, we are excited to bring back the MIVA Time Trials Series which will pit riders against the clock, most Thursday nights along Nanaimo River Road. Riders can compete to win, or just to beat last week’s time. Points will be awarded at each race and totaled at the end of the series.Come join us at the race, whether you’re new to time trials or a seasoned veteran, the TT’s are sure to put a smile on your face.We will need 2 volunteers.

Spring Challenge 50k & 100kSaturday, April 23, 20228:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.Maffeo Sutton ParkWe hope you’re as excited as we are for the start of a new MIVA road season. Dust off your road bike and join us for a great ride to welcome in spring and get back on the road. We’re riding 50km or 100km routes, starting and finishing at Maffeo Sutton Park. Start times can vary depending on your anticipated ride time. The goal is to be finished between 12-12:30pm, recommended 8am for 100km and 9:30am for the 50km. After the ride feel free to grab a drink or eats at one of the nearby food trucks or establishments.Entry is free, but sign up here: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=273274

Copyright (C) 2022 Mid Island Velo Association. All rights reserved.

Cobble Hill Road Race

The Cobble Hill Road race is coming up on April 17. Victoria Breakaway Cycling has been asked to host us as the Sydney Velos are not able to do so due to lack of volunteers. We are pleased to support this event which is probably the best road race on the island all year. It starts at Kerry Park Arena and goes up Mill Bay- Shawnigan Lake to the village turns right and head back down toward Cobble Hill and then along Cameron Taggart Road. It is a race that suits numerous types of riders.

DETAILS

Sunday April 17th
1030 AM start
Registration 9:30 Kerry park arena
Bathrooms available
No cleats inside
A 6 laps
B 5 laps at 1 minute
C 4 laps at 2 minutes
$20 adults
$10 juniors
THE RACE IS FREE IF YOU BRING A VOLUNTEER!
Click HERE to register.

Free refreshments afterwards at arena

Please put out the call for volunteers.
Speak to me
Email andrewattwell@hotmail.com
Cell 250-858-6078

Caleb Cancellation

Sad news – I know you (we) are/were gung-ho for Sunday’s Caleb Pike race, but, due to circumstances beyond our control, and only communicated to the race hosts today (by the municipality) – this Sunday’s race has to be cancelled.

We are aware that a few people had already registered online, and stay-tuned, you will be made whole (refunded or registration carried forward to the next Caleb Race).

Apologies, we know that many people plan their lives around VCLs, and we are sorry to let you down this weekend. Spend time with your family, or, watch the Amstel Gold race on GCN…

T

Speedway Results – Caleb Registration

Thanks to Tripleshot for hosting a great race to start the 2022 season. Close to 50 friendly combatants lined-up to start the three races, and other than (what appeared to be) a fairly minor fall in the C-race, all looked very smooth, safe and above all, fun!!

Patrick quickly and efficiently got the results uploaded to Webscorer (FYI – these are always searchable, as are Registration pages, use partial name search 2022 VCL – generally added a few days prior to race day).

The Caleb Pike registration page is now active – click here to register. Reg early, and tell all your friends.

We should have full-season chips/bib numbers at this race – these will cost you $5.00 and are yours for the full season. Lose them, forget them, and you are on the hook for another set. So, bring cash (exact change preferably).

On-site sign-on starts around 9:45, with racing at 10:30 – full details to follow in a separate post.

See you this weekend – ride safe.

T

Race #1 of the 2022 VCL Season

T-1 to the first VCL event of 2022. Western Speedway hosts to the first race of the very full 2022 season. Race times will be the same as in the past, with 5:30 reg start for the 6:00 C Race, the B-Race will follow at 6:30 and the A-Race at 7:15.

Online reg takes place at Webscorer. $15 to race, $10 for juniors. We won’t have the full-season timing chips and bib numbers available for tomorrow, so, you will have a temp chip that has to be returned at the end of the race. There will be limited on-site registration available also.

Full-year chip/bib number combos will be available on the weekend, at Caleb ($5 cost, for the full season).

Bring your cash (if you didn’t pay online), bring your race license, and bring your signed waiver (printed from webscorer, pls).

See you tomorrow evening!!