Cross on the Rock 2015. Season #10. Newsletter #14.
The 2016 Cross on the Rock season is a wrap. Our biggest yet. Our biggest by far. After 10 years we are still learning. We are still (usually) having fun. We are still enjoying seeing so many people come out and push themselves on their bikes. We really enjoyed the Mazda Zoom Zoom Half track this year and felt that was the best new thing. It is amazing to think we crossed the 10,000 race barrier this year (# of people racing X number of times raced).
Thank you for making COTR what it is.
This is our LAST newsletter of the year.
FILL OUT THE SURVEY PLEASE!
If you have not yet done the newsletter PLEASE take less than 2 minutes to fill out this survey. It will REALLY help us with our sponsors and planning for 2016. It gives you a chance to fire feedback our way which directly impacts the series and the races. To give you an inventive we will draw for 2 prizes from the submissions on December 10th.
LINK TO COTR YEAR END SURVEY: fluidsurveys.com/surveys/normon/cotr-season-10-year-end-survey/
In this COTR Newsletter:
1) If you want to keep racing this winter……check these out.
2) Thanks to our sponsors Part 2
3) Other Cool Stuff.
1) If you want to keep racing this winter……..here are some options.
Provincial Championships.
This Sunday in Squamish are the BC Provincial CX Championships. Instead of ability based categories like COTR the event has age based categories. If you don’t have a license that is not a problem….you can get a day-of-race license like any COTR event. New Course. New Venue. New Town. The racing should be great.
Registration CLOSES Wednesday, November 25th at just before midnight. No day-of-race registration.
Here is the web site: http://steedcycles.com/bccxchamps/
Here is the registration link: https://ccnbikes.com/#!/events/2015-bc-provincial-cyclocross-championships
B Team Super Prestige
http://vcxc.ca/
Last race in the lower mainland for the year is December 5th in Aldergrove.
Semi-Prestige is a GO in Victoria
Semiprestige CX Race: Dec 13th Likely the same excellent venue as last year, with fingers firmly crossed for more SNOW, just like last year.
Boxing Day CX TT: tbd. Possible travel plans for the Christmas period that might nix the boxing day TT.
Blubberburn: Hartland MTB park is hungry for more tubes. We’re planning a ritual sacrifice for late January.
contact: parker@stuckylife.com
website: stuckylife.com
MIVA
Rumours started texting in just tonight that MIVA may be putting on a New Year’s eve cross race at Arbutus Meadows. Better keep your eye on their FB page (and COTR FB page)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (for Masters)
This is a BIG one. Never before in HISTORY has the World Masters CX Championships been held SO close to home. January 2016 and 2017.
There is talk of a few COTR racers making the trip down to San Jose for the action. Rumour has it that the organizer puts on wicked events and solid courses. Worth the effort.
This is what we know so far:
http://www.cxmagazine.com/cyclo-cross-masters-worlds-san-jose-2016-2017-championships
Cascade Cross Series
A few COTR’ers have popped across the border to Bellingham (and Whidbey Island) for these races.
These guys have races on December 5/6th as well as January 9th (perfect prep for CX Masters Worlds)
Web Site: http://cascadecross.com/races
2) Thanks to our sponsors (Part I)
We would not have a race series without our sponsors. Simple as that. Support those that support what you like to do.
Naked Bikes
Chances of seeing a Naked bike at our race series 5 years ago was pretty LOW. Through support of Sam Wittingham there is a CREW of Naked riders down to each event from Quadra Island. There are a LOT of Naked bikes on the start grid at every race. And our island girl and Canadian champ rides a Naked. Belief in our series and support of COTR. Thanks Sam.
Nutcase
Our ‘Lil Nutcase kids races are SO MUCH FUN to watch!! We have seen kids graduate from these fun little events all the way up to the beginner category. They will one day rule the series! But for now it is enough to get them on their bikes having fun and getting some prizes to have more fun.
Frontrunners-Nanaimo
Long ago….when we were setting up our second cross race ever in Diver Lake park we were asked, “Why is a running shop the only one putting on bike races in Nanaimo”. Times have changed with Rock City Cycles, MIVA in Nanaimo and all our partners up and down the island. Frontrunners is still there though…..supporting Cross….’cause in cross you have to run. And to run well in cross…you need to train running. So when it is time to get new shoes think about Frontrunners!!
KONA
Title sponsor of the KONA KUP and supporter of COTR since before COTR. Need to get Dik Cox back over for one of our races. #1 bike at COTR (according to current survey feedback)
The Howard Johnston Nanaimo and Elk Lake
Dan Brady, the manager of both these hotels, does whatever he can to support sports in Nanaimo and Victoria. He walks the walk and is out their trail building, organizing events, writing newsletters and anything else he can fit in to help out.
Trek Bikes Victoria. Pro City Cycles
Title sponsor this year of the Topaz park race. One of the most popular bike shops on Vancouver Island. Great to have the support from this crew.
Riverway Dental in Courtenay
Our youth categories sponsor for the 2nd year. Also bringing out the loot bags and chocolate medals for the zoom zoom and ‘lil nutcase races. It was great to have Wade Luksay back racing in the Masters category this year as well after an injury year off.
Blue Tuke Sports
First year sponsor from this sweet consignment sports shop up in Courtenay. If you have a chance to check this shop out there is always great stuff in it. We had prizing from Paul for most of our events but the BIG one was the cool cruiser and the canucks jersey. I saw one of the Blue Tuke tukes at SSXCWC15Vic as well.
B78 Coaching
Jasper’s crew helped out with organizing the B78 pre-ride for beginners at all the events this year with Mitchell and Mical as well as some prizing. They were also out for the official “shot cut” at SSCXWC last weekend. Next goal: get Jasper racing.
Sew what I sew.
Every COTR racer needs a Filthy Taco. Thanks to Jason for jumping in mid season with some prizing.
Check out the Filthy Taco’s at: http://sewwhatisew.com/outdoor-recreation/filthy-taco-change-mat-storage-device/
3) Other Cool Stuff to sign off this season
· If you are on the COTR Facebook page you would have seen all the video’s from Rob Parkin highlighting the 3 days of carnage at SSXCWC15Vic. If you have not seen it….search it out.
· I was asked last weekend when we start working on the schedule for the next year…april….may? Actually the e-mail went out to the race directors 3 weeks ago. We are already working on it BEFORE the current season finished. We have a rough draft but will lock down a more solid schedule over the next couple of weeks and post it on the web site and our FB page.
· Did you check out the edit from the Waverly Crit from Pelle? Some amazing drone shots in there. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe88WisIe5g
· Hogwarts photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55755206@N00/albums/72157660733064177
Mike Zinger | Photo | Video www.mikezinger.com
· Patrick Burnham’s Flickr photo album from SSXCWC15Vic and Ronde von Hogwarts: https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/page1
Some Numbers
Average Participation numbers per race by season.
|
Year |
Ave |
# Growth |
% Growth |
|
2015 |
306 |
71 |
30% |
|
2014 |
235 |
30 |
15% |
|
2013 |
205 |
17 |
9% |
|
2012 |
188 |
41 |
28% |
|
2011 |
147 |
27 |
23% |
|
2010 |
120 |
35 |
41% |
|
2009 |
85 |
9 |
12% |
|
2008 |
76 |
4 |
6% |
|
2007 |
72 |
7 |
11% |
|
2006 |
65 |
||
Total number of people that have done a COTR race: 1703 (not counting kids)
Racers Per Year
2015 660
2014 548
2013 496
2012 438
2011 331
2010 259
2009 239
2008 183
2007 160
2006 159