Venue support from Coastal Community Credit Union.


BEFORE we get into notes, Twin City X and the Muc Off Cup we just want to express something that we believe as a race series.  It has been the same way for 18 years.  We believe in encouraging people to come out and race.  To get to the start line.  To enjoy the battles.  To make it to the finish.  Since the start that has been our goal.  With that “acceptance” we do NOT CARE if you ride a MTB.  We have had LOTS of MTB’s over the year.  Heck I think Rob Britton raced his first Diver Lake race years ago on a MTB and look at his career since!  Don’t hassle people about the bike they ride at COTR.  We don’t care.  You should not care.  If they are beating you on a MTB or a road bike or a gravel bike and you are on a cx bike……just enjoy the battle and try to get them next time.  The last  thing we need is a snowboard/ski or sup/surf or road/off road attitude at our races.  We are here to have fun.  No one wants someone calling them out for the bike they ride.  Neither do we!

LOTS of Notes for this week: 

  • Tripleshot Cross Fondo has only 50 spots left.  Registration DEADLINE is October 11th.  This is a wicked event (like a 25/45km COTR race) so we don’t put an event on in conflict with this race.  If you have not done it you should.  If you have you should again!!
  • Lots of COTR past and present alumni racing off-island this past weekend!  Some at the  World Cup MTB finals.  Others at the last race of the Pro CX Cup in the USA.  So cool to see people taking it to the next level and challenging themselves further and further!
  • If you have been on our COTR web site over the years you have probably watched a video or two from Pelle Gustavs.  Some of the original COTR videos WAY back from 2010 are Pelle’s.  The only ones that pre-date Pelle were Rob Williamson shot on TAPE and transferred to DVD!  WELL…..Pelle is BACK.  He shot a LOT of video this past Sunday.  SO MUCH that he had to split it up.  We will get the Masters and Open LATER but for now here is 21 amazing minutes from the Launch and Intermediate races!!
  • We asked for photo links and we got some!!  Only known as the “Friend of Ellie Winchell” they have shots of the Intermediate, Masters and Launch.
  • A request from the dad of one of our young racers: “Reminding spectators to stay off the track..my son went in the bushes and over the bars avoiding a women texting on her phone during the race on the track!  He is fine but maybe send out a reminder!”
  • Sign up for the MUC OFF CUP NOW!!!!  Registration closes 6:00pm on Sunday and inevitably someone is going to forget!! 

1. Race #3 Review.  Twin City X.
We warned everyone.  If you missed Twin City X last Sunday you would be disapointed on Monday.  No more true words were ever typed!

Want a sweet POV video of the action in Masters last weekend.  Check out Roland’s bike cam!  All the actions.

Notes from race director Nik:
 A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to the return of Port Alberni!! This event went off! What a success. Still in a deep cross trance ATM.. A big thank you to all the volunteers: Jeremy, Lee, Steph, Norm, Patrick, Dan, Hog boy, Sarah, Chris, Seana, Robin, Monika, Slotboom, Nick, Enzo, Dave, Andy @ Airhouse, Pete @ Muc-off/HLC, Warwick @ Gogilding.ca, and anyone else I’m missing!! Also thank you to all who helped bug Norm to secure Port Alberni in the COTR series this year! You know who you are 😉 (You can start petitioning for PORT FINALS 2025 COTR)!!!! one can dream… Things to remember FOREVER: – The Kids… were stoked! One parent asked me “Are the kids going through the mud pit? Because that’s the only reason he wanted to sign up.” Tessa was smiling ear to ear. I even watched 2 riders in LAUNCH sending the jump!! – Jump into mud pit into wood chips  4.5 out of 5 level of spice- DJ Dave for working the beats for over 5 hours!!- “Super booter”, ” North shore skinny jump”, “huck to flat”, ” wood gap jump” – The party train of Intermediate men sending it off that jump! I think 12 in a row WOW! crowd went nuts.- The Open only run up….. The hardest and slowest I & many others have ever gone in a CX race- The VIBES!!!    The people were stoked on this style cross event. – Heckling     So many people cheering, heckle fests all over.. THE BEST- 99% finished & no one needed first aid! The biggest THANK YOU goes out to:- Norm for allowing me to host and get spicy with the course.- Lee for being my partner in crime with this event, A.S.S.* grand master, and an all around legend!- Fire fighters of P.A. for the water dump- DJ DAVE Local event sponsors: Wade @ Godfather garage, Jason @ Cannondale, Corey& Arron @ Twin City Brewing, Deon& Kayla @ Bomber boulders , Lee @ The Jumping Slug The Team @ Fall fair grounds snuck in during the event and were very excited!Fingers crossed we will be able to use this great venue again.Thanks to all who helped clean up. It went down FAST! I would love to see Cyclocross grow to pre-2020 numbers.. 
One thing you can do: At your local race this year. Ask ALL your friends and family. Cycling or not. The more people we get racing, cheering, and supporting these events the more epic battles per category we get.
(Port had nearly 10 people race, that had NEVER tried cross before) Much love,Nik @ The Slug “

Quick notes from Norm as this is a BIG newsletter.

  • I vote the top 30 Masters do the LONG course next year!  We have to figure out how to do it!!
  • 8th place for “Most Tame” race out of the 120 races we have done!
  • Such a great vibe at this race ALL DAY! 
  • Can’t wait to go back!

2.  Race #4 Preview.  The MUC OFF CUP!!!!!!

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

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.  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 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!!

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!!
  • 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 back again Sip and Sliders food truck!  SO GOOD!!
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.  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!

CategoryStart Time
Registration Open9:15 am
9:50 am
Nanaimo Track and Field Run (9:45)
Beginner Clinic		10:00 am
Launch Men (Including Youth U13 and U15)10:45 am
Launch Women (Including Youth U13 and U15)10:46 am
Bigger Kids Full lap or almost a full lap11:40
Intermediate Men (Including U17)12:10 pm
Intermediate Women (Including U17 and Masters 40 and faster Women)12:11 pm
Lil Nutcase Kids Race12:15 pm
Masters Men (40-54)1:15 pm
Super Master Men (55+)1:16 pm
Open Men2:30 pm
Open Women2:31 pm

It is about the community.  Racing.  Respect.  Repeat.
Remember to recommend COTR to people that ride and bring a friend out to race!!

Coming Up THIS Monday:

Parting Shot.
Race director Nik enjoying his mad creation at the Alberni Fair Ground! (from Ellie’s “friend”)

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2024. Newsletter #4 – SO MUCH NEWS!!!!