CONDO CROSS REVIEW………..Wow!
Wow is right!
Results are always posted quite fast and if you have not seen them they are at: http://www.crossontherock.com//php/race-results/?raceid=32
A lot of huge things at the Condo Cross held 2 short days ago in Topaz Park Victoria. First of all it smashed our previous attendance record that was set only 8 days before at Lumber X. We went from a high of 140 participantsto a new series best and perhaps provincial best of 190 participants! Pretty incredible!
The course was LONG and took a lot of power……and we did not have any barriers! We have had no barrier courses before at the KONA KUP……but there was a reason for the no barriers last weekend. Because of the length of the course they used up all the rebar. We normally use the rebar for the barriers…..there was none left…..so no barriers. We had few comments about it but in the end all the courses are different and this one was hard enough. I did notice that Drew left out some potential stairs……so if we use that course again we might have stairs and barriers…..be careful what you ask for!
You may also have noticed we had no music or PA system like we usually do. It was in the trailer but the parks and rec. for Victoria have STRICT rules and regulations about amplified music and the max db it can reach. We did not want to risk not being able to use the venue again…..and we did not have a db meter…..so we left the PA in the trailer for this race. It turned out fine as there were so many spectators making so much noise that it was pretty cool…..especially I the hot corner by registration.
We also debuted a new prize category which we may or may not use again….best “Suffer Face”. There were some great ones out there. From Steve Bachop with foam and snot hanging down to his neck and Fluffy’s pain
face……we will have to use that prize again. We just won’t tell anyone when we will. Surprise!
With our massive amount of participants and Masters having close to 70 racers we had a bit of difficulty with the results for that category. This was compounded (and not helped) by the fact that 2 racers did not have nay numbers on. A couple of racers had their numbers pinned upside down or wrong side (come on guys!!). A bit of rain on the timing sheets (which smudges the ink) and even a bit by the awesome spectators in that area. PLUS people asking the timers all sorts of questions…..like “what was my lap time for the 3rd lap in intermediate”…..etc. We usually have it totally dialed but this one did not work out as good as normal. SO if you do check out the results and they are a bit off….don’t FREAK. Just e-mail Katie or Roland and let them know and we will try to fix the errors. They have already adjusted it a few times and we are getting it sorted. We know you want your series points!!
The event was also covered on the news with CHEK TV which was cool too! Let me know if you saw the coverage and how it was.
There were some great rides of the day:
- Kelly Guest who had a “fast start” (read jumped the gun) and killed it for the first half of the expert race. Unfortunately Kelly has been heat chamber training for Maui Xterra worlds and had a big session the day before. It caught up to him half way through the race and he faded….just a bit. His 6th place finish though keeps him as current series leader.
- There was a great finish line battle between Jamie Emery and Bill MacMillan. You can check out the photo sequence on the Island Cross Facebook page.
- Peter Wellsman earned the race of the day by slogging out 2 days of USGP action in Fort Collins including a horrible day on Saturday that had just above zero temp. with rain and a sloppy-power course. Peter and Mical flew home Sunday night. Monday Peter took his first COTR Masters victory over the largest COTR masters field. Schooling some “kids” that are “only” 40….Peter is 53! A huge congratulations to him.
- Sarah Stewart and Kelly Jones were having a great battle in the Open Women’s category as well with lots of lead changes and attacks happening.
- We also had quite a few people that ran at the RMV running festival the day before……8k, half marathon and actually I think Brian Rehill actually did the marathon and then raced to 32nd in Intermediate men’s in his 2nd cx race….ouch!
I am sure that I only saw a fraction of what happened.
A big thank you goes out to our event title sponsor the Condo Group. Drew MacKenzie our race director, all the organizers and volunteers. Victoria City and Victoria City Parks and Rec. Our event sponsors Oak Bay Bikes Westshore, Trek Pro City Racing, Straight Up Cycles.
Individuals (it takes a lot of people!): Simon Norris, Paul Brend, Jonathan Benskin, Andy Achuff, Parker Bloom, Joele Guynup, Regan Pringle, Kelly Guest, Andrew LaFrance, Doug Doyle, Jennifer Erlendson, Lister and his merry band of jrs, Kiwi James, Jeff Coleman, Betsy MacKenzie, Peter Wellsman, Ron Hewitson, Brent Larkin, Tanya Berg, Jennifer Skinner, Erinne Willock, Tony Zarsidias, Roland + Katie, and super timer Hillary Grant .
Please take the time to contact for the Victoria Parks and Recreation to send positive feedback about us using Topaz Park….we would appreciate if many of you took the time to fire them a note. One e-mail cc’ed to both and bcc’ed to me: Tammy Lata – tlata@victoria.ca and Dave Clarke – DClarke@victoria.ca or use the feedback form at: Ken Hilchey and Stu Montgomery using the feedback form online (don;t forget the change subject heading) – http://www.victoria.ca/citymail/index.asp
DOUBLE HEADER WEEKEND IN NANAIMO: THIS WEEKEND!!
We will have the bible posted Thursday (sorry stacked week….trying to get things done asap) with all the information you need to get yourself to this event.
The following is probably what you need to know NOW:
Race Formats
The race format for the Island Champs on Saturday at Beban Park will be age based categories. This is a unique opportunity for people to race against people they might not have a change to during the rest of the season as well
as for some of the younger racers to race kids their own age. Every once in a while you gotta just see how you stack up! These categories are also similar to what they would use for a Provincial Championships (IFFF we ever chose to host one…..) This is your chance to do it!!
Racing will start at 11:00 as normal. Registration at 10:00.
Sunday’s race is the regular COTR ability based format for categories. Same schedule as we have used for the last 2 events.
OBB Saturday Night Social. Trying to get more details about this from the OBB guys. Will post in the race guide.
Host Hotel: Howard Johnston.
This hotel is less than 500m from the start of Day 2 the Bowen race course. Howard Johnson Harbourside hotel is proud to be involved with COTR and is happy to offer all racers a room rate of $69.00 which includes hot breakfast. Rate is single occupancy. Add $ 10.00 for second person.
Ask for the Cyclocross rate.
1-250-753-2241
1-800-663-7322
hojonanaimo@shaw.ca
SERIES STANDINGS
The series standings are posted at:
http://www.crossontherock.com//php/series-results/?series=2011
There are some great rivalries and battles forming in each category….it makes it even more interesting each week!
PHOTOS
Keep firing us links and we will keep posting them. We have had a request though that if a couple of you can send us just 3-5 photos right after the race so that we can include them into our news that goes out to the media separately….that would be great.
CROSS PRACTICES
There are some cross clinics being organized in Nanaimo on Thursday nights by MIVA. 4:30pm at Beban park meeting by the BMX track. First one is tomorrow, October the 13th.
There is a weekly cross ride at Trail Bikes in Courtenay on Wednesday nights….contact Beeston.
There are a few Wednesday night “practices” in Victoria still…..contact someone who knows something about the “underground”…..!!
NATIONAL CHAMPS
If you are planning on going to National Champs in Ontario….well the course looks like it sucks. The organization is the same as last year which in my opinion did the worst job of any cross nationals so far. A few of us have been sending letters of dissatisfaction to the CCA in the hopes that it puts the pressure on the organizers to 1) build a better course and 2) do a better job. Hopefully it works but it always helps to have more voices so if you plan on going and don’t want to waste your money….please fire them an e-mail.
PROVINCIAL CHAMPS
Word is that it is back on in North Vancouver on November 27th but being organized by Atomic Racing. Their web site was just sent to me and is: http://www.atomicracing.com/race/
SERIES SCHEDULE (UPDATED)
* September 11th. Coal Cross at the Village Park in Cumberland: In
the BOOKS!
* October 2nd. Lumber Cross at McLean’s Mill in Port Alberni: Chopped
down and DONE!
* October 10th. Condo Cross at Topaz Park in Victoria: Record
Breaker. Record Setter.
* October 15th. Beban Park in Nanaimo (Island Championships)
Social at the new Oak Bay Bikes in Nanaimo in the PM.
* October 16th. Bowen Park in Nanaimo
* October 30th. Transfer Beach in Ladysmith
* November 19th Cameron Cross at Western Speedway in
Victoria/Langford (Series Championships and Double Points)
NEXT RACE is the Double Cross weekend in Nanaimo. Saturday the Island
Championships at Beban Park. Sunday is COTR series race #4 at Bowen Park.
SERIES SPONSORS
* KONA
* Oak Bay Bikes Nanaimo
* Lambert: Pedros-Leyzne
* Action Motorcycles
* PHILLIPS BEER
* Howard Johnson
* Saltspring Coffee
* Oakley
* Pro Bar
* Aviawest
* Frontrunners
* Also a bit of series support from Orange Sport Supply
Brought to you by the Council of Cross.
23.235.211.7/~thehol19/crossontherock/
This Cyclocross Series is Organized by the Cross Council:
With the following cycling clubs: MIVA, VICC, Everti Cycling Club, UROC,
Arrowsmith MTB Club, ASS, Alberni Valley Riders and IRC
Supported by the following Shops:
OBB Victoria, Westshore and Nanaimo
Trail Bikes in Courtenay
Experience cycles in Duncan
Cowichan Cycles in Duncan
Cycle Therapy in Duncan
Frontrunners in Nanaimo
Straight Up Cycles in Victoria
Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland
Ozzie’s Cycles in Port Alberni
Sanctioned by:
Cycling BC