Venue support from Coastal Community Credit Union.
We begin this week’s newsletter with some sad news. One of our #1 supporters and a fixture in the timing tent for years passed away in her sleep last Sunday after Coal Cross. Lexi will be missed and our heart goes out to Patrick.
Short Notes for this week:
- We have a photo link for you this week: Lindsey Fraser shared some of her photos from Sunday.
- If you have other photo galleries please send them our way and we will share with the COTR community!
- Racing Men’s Supermasters? We have new 2024 stickers for the front of your helmet to help with timing when there are 100+ dudes on the course. Come and get one from registration at the next race you are at (if you have already raced this year)
1. Race #3 Preview. Twin City X.
REGISTRATION LINK. CLOSING AT 6:00pm on SATURDAY (As always)
Location: Port Alberni Fair Grounds-3737 Roger St, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 8J4 Fair grounds located at the end of Vimy St – 2.5 hour drive from Victoria – 1 hour drive from Nanaimo – 1.5 hour drive from Duncan – 1 hour drive from Cumberland Parking: (SEE THE MAP) There is a HUGE parking area. As you enter the grounds you will turn right, there is a giant gravel parking area. Look for the signs. Do NOT park near your team tent. The gates to team tents will be closed after 10am!! Get here early to set up tents. Registration: If you need to pick up your race number, make some change or switch your category it will be located right out front on the Kinsmen building as you enter the grounds. Washrooms will also be around the same building. Team Tents: All team tents will go up against the horse corral. See the attached map. Head into the grounds. Drop your tent and go park! No room for vehicles. The gates to team tents will be closed after 10am!!
The pits will be located close to team tents Course: Grass, sand, MUD, tractor pull, sawdust and a run up that will give Bowen a run for its money.. It is a flat course, but flowy and still has that true Port Alberni flavour.
Did we mention there is a live DJ AND a Fire truck coming to soak our mud pit!?!?This is THE race of the season, you won’t want to miss it!! Course Hazards: While we have use of the grounds, there may be people unaware. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP.
The course will have some special features… if you have not hit these features in practice, do not fly the SUPER HERO cape in the race! OPEN Category ONLY Section there is a extremely fast DH (biggest in COTR history)Please make sure you are entering this section slowly.. Stick to the LEFT side of the cones as you rip down the path.(This section will be open to park users so HEADS UP!!)It is followed by a MANDATORY run up!! If you get caught by the marshal trying to ride this section you will get DISQUALIFIED!!!!! It is a very steep hill and you could easily hurt yourself and/or others if you lost your balance trying to gain a second riding your bike. Food Truck: Hojo’s Eats are coming to town. They offer something for everyone. Warm food, snacks, and drinks. Hojo’s Eats has you covered for that mid race day fix! Beer gardens: For the first time since Beban 2017? Twin City Brewing from Port Alberni will be serving up their delicious beer! Make sure to have a cold one while cheering on the race. Prizing: Prizing will be provided by The Jumping Slug Bike Shop, Eleven Speed Coffee, Twin City Brewing, Godfather Garage, Cannondale, Hotel Zed, Barnside Brewing Co. and our title sponsor Muc Off!!
Huge draw prize for one lucky racer at the end of the day! (Must be there to win the prize)
2. Race #2 Review. The vibe was Coal Crossing.
Notes from Tom and Brett:
Thanks to everyone for coming up to Cumberland and being part of a great event. The atmosphere and racing was fabulous. A huge thank you to all the volunteers that made the race come together: Scott McGregor, Brett & Sinead Whitehead, Beth, Ben and Eli Pechter, Sophia & Andrew Sauter, Gavin MacPhail, Megan Racher, Jim Meldrum, Andrea Scott, Alex Smith, Cameron, Owen, Alex, Annabelle & Talia, Erica, Dan Lehton, Judith Writhg and her friend Angela, Tim Roberts was amazing, cutting, clearing and setting up the course once again, and a huge thanks to Sarah Hassall and Scott Manktelow for jumping in for first aid duties. Thanks to everyone who helped tear down the course as well. It is always SO HELPFUL when people jump in and help out. It goes FAST. Awards are earlier. Everyone is done quicker!
Many thanks to our local sponsors for this event: Trail Bikes, Blue Toque Sports, Biblio Taco and Skratch for the category winners thanks to Drew.
It was awesome to see so many great battles out there, and people getting out of their comfort zones to take the optional jump line. Rumor is that Norm even hit it from lap three on.
Norm’s Notes:
- There is a LOT going on at the races EVERY time. I don’t get to see as much as I would like. A few things stand out though…..
- Cumberland always has a great feel to it. From all the spectators by the barriers. The team zone. Over by the pits and the one little dude cheering me on from his marshal spot at the start of Dog Leg each lap. I thank that kid!!
- Great fun battling it out in the Masters Category again. Such a great group of guys and I hope everyone feels that in the category they are racing with!
- Need more Launch women!!
- The Open Women category had more racers that was their first race of the season….that means we have had 16 women race OPEN so far this year…..we just need EVERYONE in EVERY category to SHOW UP on the same day!! HUGE event!!
- Tycho took his day of race to the next level last weekend. Racing the Launch. Then being the rabbit for the Riverway Dental Hot Lap Race. MEGA cheering for Mom and Dad during their two races. THEN helping out with the awards. HUGE day!!
- The two retro-tech guys on the 90’s MTBs in the OPEN category. Proving you just have to RIDE and get out there.
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 on Thanksgiving Monday:
Parting Shot. David Prothero shuttling his Single Speed Humu Retro tech bike to the event on Sunday. Perfect shuttle vehicle.
