A MAJOR thanks to MAZDA for continuing their title sponsorship of the COTR series. We hope to have the FULL CX Mazda line up at Days of Thunder…..stay tuned!
The Warm Up
Last week we talked about killing an event. Most of you were listening…..a few of you were not (the ones that parked on the grass at Qualicum Beach instead of parking on the road and riding an extra 50 meters).
This week we are going to talk about how to “Love” and “Save” and “Support” and event. And the best part about it is we will make it FUN with Prizes.
Here we go……as you know Cross on the Common’s was a MUD fest. While we LOVE MUD (as I can tell from the number of people that have commented on the course yesterday) some residents, park users and general…..well…..people that don’t love anything…..will try to complain. The name of the game now is to drown out the complainers with LOTS of SUPPORT.
So we will make it fun. I will put up a prize pack of some Phillips Beer and the one SUPER Muc OFF Kit that we received from Peter Creighton. It is a great prize!
All you have to do to enter is e-mail the following 2 people with “supportive” and “positive” comments about the event yesterday. In your writing don’t mention the “negative” impacts or people. Focus on POSITIVE aspects of the event and your trip to Qualicum Beach. I just want to tell you that Clayton Hiltz has already got a head start. BCC (Only BCC’ed entries will qualify….not those “CC’ed” ones) us on your e-mail and I will enter you in for the prize. Must be done within this week. So the deadline is FRIDAY at the end of the day. These things are BEST done QUICKLY after the race.
Here are the two e-mails:
Daniel Sailland, CAO: DSailland@qualicumbeach.com
Heather Svensen, Corporate Administrator: hsvensen@qualicumbeach.com
PRAISE and ACCOLADES! Do your best and thanks in advance!
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- Cross on the Commons Review
- Norm’s Notes (A separate feature this week)
- Practice – Practice and Practice (Updated)
1. Cross on the Commons Review
Cross on the Commons (COTC) – The Rear View
The biggest mention has got to go out to Cross On The Rock for letting Qualicum Beach host the only new event for 2017. May there be more! Awesome!
Wow, what a great day! Was that wet/slippery/muddy/sandy enough? Long enough or short enough? Tough but fun enough? Hope everyone got their fills worth and came away smiling (and hopefully with some swag).
A special thank you to all those, especially Scott Richard, Parks Supervisor, associated with the Town of Qualicum Beach for supporting this event and letting us use the Civic Centre facilities.
And the next big shout out goes to all of the volunteers for making the race run so smoothly. Start at 7, home at 5 for a Big Day. With an extra big, high 5 to the main COTC organizing team of Dean Vinden (course design), Geordie Greenwood and Paul Connor (volunteers), Michael Addiscott (sponsors and course design) and Laz Difiore and Nicholas Knight (Beginner clinic and more). A big pat on the head to Richard Franklin (Parksville) for the Facebook banner and poster and with extra thanks to Juan Pablo for the video production. Special thanks to Sally Vinden for jumping into the Registration fray, taking charge and getting the job done!
Fine job everyone!
Glad to have had the Medix staff on hand to deal with some accidents and I hope everyone heals up fast. Also good to have the RCMP Garage 529, bike registration project there. And of course, AJ’S food truck to keep those needy folks full.
And far from last, is the awesome support we received from a large number of business’ and companies in Qualicum Beach, Parksville and Coombs that donated product, gift certificates and a whole lot more to a great event. Truly impressed!
Thanks one and all,
Roy
2. Norm’s Notes
I am doing a separate section for Norm’s notes this week rather than bunching it in with Roy’s Cross on the Common’s stuff. There is always a LOT of stuff going on behind the scenes at COTR headquarters between the race organizers and other people that help out with the series. I just wanted to fill you in on a bit of behind the scenes stuff.
Roy has been racing the series since 2013 One year…I think 2015 he won the GRAND prize of the Naked bike. Since before that he has been working me HARD about putting on a race in Qualicum Beach. He would e-mail me. He would text. He would roll by Frontrunners QB Triathlon aid station to talk to me about it. He would get mad at me in 2016 when they were not on the schedule. Finally this year the pieces call came together and I have to say it was one of our best events in close to 80 COTR races. The number of people helping out. The marshals on the course. The set up. It was SO smooth. Normally first year events are NOT this smooth. This crew not only put on the event on Sunday BUT they sent people to Coal Cross and the Kona Kup to help out and to learn a head of time. If there is ever another group that wants to put on a COTR event in the future……the Qualicum crew have set the standard for a first year event!
Now our challenge it to get invited back!
More notes:
- Did you see how many people were watching the “Lil Nutcase race? That was the biggest spectator crew EVER for that race. People had lawn chairs!
- A special thanks to Glenowyn Carlson – Pirate Kitty Racing s for organizing refreshments for all the Expert women at the finish line (of one of the longest expert women’s races of all time). She took it upon herself to get beverages from our sponsor Phillips for all the riders.
- GREAT to see Dylan Tremblay out at the event yesterday. Dylan raced 3 seasons of COTR before long standing free-riding injuries got to him and he could not continue. Then his wife took up the charge…..now his kids are out there. I think one of his kids’ pedals fell off during the nutcase race? Anyways 8 different people offered him their bikes and entries just to see him rip it up. Such a great rider to watch. We hope his back gets stronger (keep doing your core) and he can join us with his kids one day.
- Lastly, Roland Rabien, who was battling with Ozzie Cyclings Lee Blais (Look up Rule #1 in the rules section of the COTR web site) for most of the race. On his way to his best finish of the season he crashed the last time down the sand back on the last lap. Not wanting to record a DNF he made it to the finish line in 32nd place. Then to the Medix crew. Then to the ambulance. Then to Nanaimo Regional…..and a broken clavicle was the outcome. So bummed! (Another behind the scenes) In 2009 when Tycho was on the way we thought we would not be able to continue with COTR. Roland and Katie stepped WAY up to help us run the series and make it a LOT more smooth. Basically we would be no where without them (and a lot of other people). We wish Roland a speedy recovery. He said that the results will be even MORE accurate at the last 3 races with him NOT racing! So there is a small “plus” for all the results driven folks out there…..but we really wish he was racing the last 3 races instead of just helping us.
OK a few links to keep your PUMPED up and motivated until Days of Thunder.
First from Sean Voigt from Pacific Mazda. He says there are some good crash shots in here:
The link to my unedited photos and video: a couple great shots https://photos.app.goo.gl/SsYg555byOcfgtmG2
Second a link from Ted Hobby of his edit from the Experts A few people have asked me why there is no edit of other races…..well……the people making the edits are RACING those races!!
Third a link from Patrick Burnham of his photos from the day: https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72157687724136220
What kind of a community is Cross on the Rock? Well the Egan clan won the Kona Private jake at the Kona Kup. They already had a bike in their stable for their kids. Brand new. Instead of selling it they brought it to Cross on the Common’s and we gave it to the kid in the Zoom Zoom race that was the biggest kids on the smallest bike and could use it the most. How awesome is that? (Mick is also missing his wheels if you have an extra set that you picked up).
What kind of an event gives away not 1 but 2 bikes in one day……our kind of event. I have the lucky winner of the bike from Arrowsmith bikes somewhere in my notes that are still deep in the van…..we can post it later on FB but for now look at that smile from both the little racer and his dad! Thanks Laz and Kebble for supporting this up and coming kids!
Most importantly the T’s Licorice stand was a SUCCESS. They sold out. They were excited about the day ranking it 11 out of 10. Both of them are already working on their ideas for Days of Thunder. Stay tuned.
3. Practice – Practice and Practice (Updated)
Days are getting shorter BUT you can still get out there with a group to practice and get a good workout in.
COWICHAN VALLEY
Wednesday nights. Check their page on Face Book.
cowichancx@gmail.com and Cowichan Cyclocross on Facebook
NANAIMO
Wednesday nights at Rock City Cycles. Cross ride starting at 5:30. Will adjust length based on daylight.
COMOX VALLEY
Wednesday Night cross practices. 5:30pm. Location will vary each week in either Cumberland/Courtenay/Comox. FB group for more info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/457383181299940/
VICTORIA – 2 Practices left.
In Victoria there is the Cross Club. 7 training “rides”.
Cross Club 2017, Victoria’s Underground Cyclocross Series Returns
Rain we need rain…. regardless it’s Cyclocross Season, so time to sharpen your CX skills!
B’s ride at 5:30pm
A’s at 6:00pm.
Details on locations will be emailed to the registered riders list each week.
Ride#6 is October 25
Ride#7 is November 1
www.crossclubvictoria.com
The Council of cross signing off until next week with the preview for Days of Thunder Double Header.
GOOD LUCK to at the Cross on the Rock racers that are making their way to Sherbrooke Quebec this weekend for the National Championships.