MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023.

Each individual race has local sponsors that support that one event but the series will not run without the amazing series sponsors that we have. Our title sponsor is MUC OFF.  We also have support from Eleven Speed Coffee, Island Cycles, Study Build, Riverway Dental, Hotel Zed, Frontrunners, Rock CityCycles and Goodr.  Please support our local as well as series sponsors when ever you have a chance.
CXUPER OCTOBER (name is a work in progress)
Between Cross on the Rock and the Tripleshot Cross Fondo we will be racing our CX bikes 5 times this month!  Throw in a few XC running events and the Royal Victoria Marathon weekend and this will be the most epic month EVER!!

  • Extra thanks this week to Dean Vinden and Higgins Heavy Equipment for helping with a few maintenance things with the COTR Trailer.  Very appreciated.

1. Cross on the Commons – Wrap Up.

Photos:  Some photos from the LAUNCH category from System Toast rider Flemming Sorvin.
Some photos from FigBug.
No photos from Patrick yet but we will post a link in the next newsletter and on the COTR socials.

Notes from the Race Director Roy
2023 Cross on the Commons – The Rear View

Thanks everyone for coming out to Arrowsmith Cycling Club’s 6th Cross on the Commons.  Cross On The Rock living large in li’l ol’ Qualicum Beach.  Great turn out for a great day of racing.

Thanks for all the feedback on what was considered to be a great course!  A good combination of techy single track, fast grassy sections for passing and the usual interest of riding the BMX track backwards.    Moisture conditions were also pretty prime, making for good grip but minimal deterioration.
The logstacles added a challenging (for some) bunny hop combination to the course but after 2 years they have been consigned to my wood pile and will serve another grand purpose.  Stoked to throw some steps in there for something different, thanks to winning the arm twisting contest with the Town of QB and the RDN.

Great to see a few representatives from Naked Factory Racing holding the fort.
And, those hams, for the podium finishers from the Super Masters race.  WTF Jack Mar, totally amazing, you constantly surprise me with your offerings.  CHAPEAU!

A special shout-out goes to the many volunteers that come out to make this race event really happen.  Special thanks to Dean Vinden and Ritchie Hughes for the help and support throughout the whole process.  A massive thank you to all!

Also, thanks to the Town of Qualicum Beach for wanting and making this race happen. They always do some course maintenance/improvements for the event as well as the use of tables, chairs and washrooms.  They also provide a site for a bike wash but I doubt anyone needed (or even knew about) it this year.

And last but not least, is the awesome support we received from many businesses in Qualicum Beach and Parksville that donated product, gift certificates and a whole lot more to a great event with locally roasted and ground free coffee and a fantastic prize table!

Please support them when you’re in the Oceanside area:

Dolly’s Home Hardware
Quality Foods
Mod Apparel
Big Grin Bikes
Q Burger
Silverwood Gifts
Fern and Cedar Brewing Company
True North Distilleries
Takeoff Adventure Rentals
Island Cycle – Parksville
Jack Marr – Island Cycle – Quadra Island
French Press Coffee Roasters – esp for the coffee
Creekmore’s Coffee
Thrifty Foods
Arrowsmith Bikes – Parksville/Nanaimo
Windsor Rentals
Qualicum Pet Foods
Richard Franklin – graphic design – COTC posters and banners

Onwards and upwards for #COTR2023!

Thanks everyone,
Roy

2. Cross on the Rock 2023 Race #3 – Nanaimo – Bowen Park – The Muc Off Cup – Preview.

REGISTRATION CLOSES: Sunday Night at 6:00 PM.  No on site registration. 

Do you want to win a Tacx Flux 2 Smart trainer from HLC Bike and Rock City Cycles?
Well then it is time to get Muc’d up!

Muc-Off is not “just” the title sponsor of the Cross on the Rock Series but they are also back as title sponsor of the Muc Off Cup once again this year! It is always great to have all their amazing products and Pete the Legend working hard washing bikes again (If needed). The Bowen park course is a classic. At the point of writing there is a REAL chance of “showers” for Monday.  The forecast has changed every day this week. There could be a little rain,  or a lot….or NONE but you should for certain keep an eye on that and have your mud tires and warm blankets ready.  We do not want to be caught off guard like the EPIC conditions of 2021. 

The course will be similar to the last few years with a road section start, into a  single track wooded climb, quick down hill, then onto the grass for lots of twists and turns before the infamous stairs and volley-ball court/sand section.  The volley ball court had a new perimeter fence installed around one side before last years race so the approach and path for that section will be similar to last year.  For the most part the course will be similar to previous years but once we get into the bowl area it is up to the crew setting up on how our adventure looks!

The Nanaimo track and field club will be using our course for a practice session as they did last year.  We will send their crew off at around 9:45 so keep an eye out for runners on the course if you are pre-riding at that time.  Give them some space!

The Stats!!
This race has some impressive stats over the history of the event.

  • Biggest race of all time!  2019
    • 5th biggest in 2018
    • 6th biggest in 2017
  • Biggest category of all time masters men 40-54 in 2019 with 88 racers
  • Most DNF’s EVER in 2014
    • 4th most DNFs in 2010
    • 10th most DNFs in 2011
  • LEAST DNF’s ever in 2016
    • 2nd least DNFs in 2019!
  • Two Time venue for the Provincial Cyclocross Championships
  • MOST RAIN ever during one of our races for the 2021 Masters Men’s race.  It was INSANE!!

Check out the results from 2022 here to re-live the action! 

Course Hazards

  • First of all the park is open to the public.  There are people everywhere and some will NOT be aware of the race or cyclists on course.  Keep your head up!!
  • We have a RUN practice race with the Nanaimo Track and Field Club at 9:45 so there will be runners on the course around that time.
  • Please be very cautious of the down-hill section after the pool.  This is the fastest section with some BIG trees that can break your shoulder or your head.
  • There are slippery sections, roots and trees and uneven ground all over the place and it will be WET
  • You MUST stay to the inside of the cones on the upper road near the tennis courts. This is very important as we are sharing the road with other park users.
  • The last hazard is the down-hill after the stair section. Please use caution, as it its steep and can be slippery.

Parking

  • There is LOTS of parking in the AREA of the race but maybe not RIGHT beside the registration/finish area.  You have a bike….you can park a little ways away.
  • The main Parking is located in the lot beside the Volley Ball courts off WALL STREET.  These spots are not marked so please don’t park like a donkey and mess it up for other people.  Organized rows!
  • Overflow parking can be found across the street at the Curling Club.
  • There is also some parking up by the park administration buildings by the tennis courts and then above that by the pool.
  • All spots are within 1 minute of the main race area.

Registration/Number pick up and race central

  • Will be located near the Volley Ball courts

ALWAYS: Please be courteous to other park users.

Team Tents

  • One row on the grass in front of parking area.
  • Then a second row against the curb in the parking lot.
  • STAKE YOUR TENTS!

Please do not put any tents on the opposite side of the course. Only event tents are allowed in that area.  Thanks

Food Truck.
For a food truck this year we have Jacks Grilles Cheese which will taste SO GOOD after racing!!

Prizes

Along with awesome MUC OFF products, a room night at Hotel Zed and some Goodr Glasses….HLC Bike and Rock City Cycles will be giving away a TACX FLUX 2 Smart Trainer!!!!

PLEASE ABSOLUTELY STAY OFF THE COURSE AFTER RACE DAY!

Lastly we can almost guarantee this…..NUMBERS ON YOUR LEFT!

Remember….registration CLOSES at 6:00 PM on Sunday.  LINK HERE.

Although the MUC OFF cup has never been voted as the #1 Cyclocross race in Canada by Cycling Canada we know that is because they have never been to our event.  If they had they would be voting the MUC OFF Cup the #1 race in Canada and Cross on the Rocks the #1 Cyclocross series in Canada.  That is just fact!

SEASON #17 COTR Schedule
DONE AND DUSTY – September 10th. Season opener in Cumberland at Coal Cross.
PERFECT FALL DAY – October 1st. Cross on the Commons in Qualicum.
October 9th. Nanaimo. Bowen park.
October 15th should be the Cross fondo.  If you have not done it.  You SHOULD do it!
October 22nd. Grand Opening of the Langford Bike Park Club house AND the Broad Street Cycles GP at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park.
October 29th. Hot Crossed Bunnies at Beban Park in Nanaimo
November 12th. CoweX series final at the Cowichan Fair Grounds!!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023
Nanaimo Cross Practices  Tonight (October 5th) Rock City Cycling and Airhouse pracice is at BOWEN PARK at 5:45.  Meeting by the Duck Pond at the lower small parking lot sort of in the middle of the park.  For future sites keep your eye on the COTR Socials and Rock City Cycles Socials.

Victoria Cross Club  The BEST practice is practice races!  The longest running cyclocross events on Vancouver Island, BC and maybe Canada.  Check out this article written last year.  The “practices” stat next week and are on Wednesday Nights.  Check out their site here.

Cowichan Cross Practices.  We have HEARD that their are some practices happening mid island with the Dirt Groms but we will try to get confirmation.  Every Tuesday a spy at the Cowichan SD office sends up video of people practicing at the field beside their office.  So there is something going on!

Comox Valley Cross Practices  Sounds like the possible last one for the season is tonight in the Valley.  Here is the FB page

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD (This is the update) weekend in November in the lower mainland.  This is the weekend between the COTR finals and the National Championships in Victoria.  Perfect time to dial in your fitness.  HOPEFULLY Cycling Canada has modified the nationals call up so that the provincials in each province contributes to call up at Nationals like it should.

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26 We have now heard that they WILL return to Saanich.  They have just started to be more active on the socials this week.  Voted #1 by Cycling Canada but as noted…..Cycling Canada does not go to any other events do they?

Parting Shot
THREE PACKS OF POKEMON CARDS!!!!  Just for riding my bike.  A Rock City Cycles racer was PUMPED after the Riverway Dental Hot Lap race.

Newsletter #4 – AFTER the turkey.  It is the MUC OFF CUP weekend!!