MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #7 – Last round coming up.

Hot Crossed Bunnies wrap up and other SUPER important news.

The FULL CoweX race preview will be out in the newsletter and on our web site later this week. We had way too much news to share to wait so have a read through over the weekend as you listen to the rain come down and watch the highlights and results from Pan Am Championships where Eleanor Wiinchell and possibly other COTR racers are? As well as the Euro Champs in Pont Chateau which was the first World Championships we went to in 2004. What an experience that was!!

Small segments of COTR information:

If you need a sweet bike for a small or JR racer I have been asked to share this one from COTR racer Tanya Binette. A super nice Trek Crockett. We don’t normally share B&S stuff but this is a super deal and we would love to see if under one of our upcoming JR racers!
Registration is OPEN for CoweX and you can link it here. We have tried our best to keep the entry fees the same as previous years but EVERYTHING IS COSTING MORE. Venues and first aid have in some cases doubled from 2022. Everything from caution tape to vandalism has gone up. Last year the CoweX venue was very expensive as well. We had to pop the registration up $2 for the last race to help cover some of this extra expense for the finals. Remember registration closes at 6:00pm the night before the race. The last race we had 12 people miss the cut off and were scrambling.
Hopefully you are on our socials and had a chance to watch the finish like short interview with Open Women’s winner last weekend Marin Lowe and the clip of the masters men start from Tom Skinner. If you are NOT on our socials….check them out!
Check your results. Check your team name. Make sure everything is correct. IF IT IS NOT then hit that link at the top of the page and let the stats masters know. We want to have as few errors going into the series final as possible!!

1. The SUPER GRAND PRIZE for 2023!!
There were a few mentions of the GRAND PRIZE reveal for the season at the last event. The way the grand prize always works is:

Every time you race your name gets entered for the prize. If you race once you are entered once. If you do the full series you are entered 6 times.
You have to be there at the final awards at the END to win the prize. That is when we draw for it.
Sorry but the LITTLE kids are not eligible for this prize. So not the Riverway Dental Hot Lappers or the little nutcase racers. You have to have raced an “adult” category.

Hotel Zed has been a huge supporter of our series over the years. From their amazing cycling jerseys for their women’s club to providing room nights for draw prizes. This year they have taken it up a BIG notch providing an AMAZING vacation in Tofino. NOT at their super cool Hotel Zed but at their exclusive water front Hotel Zed Tofino Cottage located next to Hotel Zed. 4 Nights!

CHECK OUT THE AMAZING LISTING HERE

This prize is worth $4000-$8000 depending on time of the year. No black out dates BUT you have to book it separately which we will give you the contact information.

2. Hot Crossed Bunnies. Race #5 – Review

Flemming Sorvin snapped some photos of the LAUNCH category at Hot Crossed Bunnies. You can check them out here!
Patrick’s photos from Hot Crossed Bunnies.

Race Director Patrick Burnham’s notes.

What a difference a couple of weeks can make. After years of this being a November event it was a welcome change to have a warm dry race course. For comparison here are a couple of photos from years past.

2015. Pre-Steve Smith Bike park.

2021

Beyond the weather we’re very fortunate to have a venue like this available to us. It isn’t the easiest to schedule an event here as we have to work with three major stakeholders in the park. The Vancouver Island Exhibition, Nanaimo Equestrian Asscociation and City of Nanaimo were all very helpful in letting us hold our event here. Also making the event happen were the board members of Mid Island Velo arranging permits and port-a-potties. Contacting food trucks and wrangling volunteers to put it all together. Huge thanks need to go to current President Christine Schilling for leading the charge behind the scenes. For this years course, if you got lost in the big field on the top corner, Shep Stewart is the man to thank for that. He spent plenty of hours on his computer mapping that out and piecing the course together for us.

Sip and Sliders food truck was out again for the second year in a row making sure everyone had something to eat. Those were the best fries I’ve had in a long time.

And Norms favorite prize of the year once again from Georgies Pies. She went above and beyond with three different flavors for first second and third place. They’re so good.

Additional prizes were provided by long time supporters Rock City Cycles and Coal City Cycles who have been helping with this race and series for years.

We also can’t forget the man in the Muc-Off tent Pete Creighton who does so much behind the scenes to help make this event happen. He didn’t need to turn it on but he was here and ready with his pressure washer to help out. This series wouldn’t be the same without him.

Finally, Thank you to all the racers who came out and made this event so special and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the series finals at the Cowichan Exhibition grounds next week.

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.
NOT quite as rainy as we LOVE but still awesome – October 9th. Nanaimo. Bowen park.
Once again this was a GREAT event – October 15th Triple Shot Cross fondo.
October 22nd. 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!!

Bonus material for making it this far.
Season #18 COTR Preliminary Schedule
Mark these dates on your calendar for the fall of 2024 so that you remember to NOT book a work conference, concert, dentist appointment or anything else!! The Council of Cross will be BUSY getting all the details set. All you have to do is ride your bike with friends. Practice your skills and be ready for Season #18
September 15th. Series will kick off with Race #1
September 29th. We will be racing someplace on the island for Race #2.
Fast and furious Race #3 will be on October 6th.
Most likely Bowen Park again on our traditional date of Thanksgiving Monday which next year is October 14th for Race #4
October 20th is Cross Fondo
We are not 100% sure on the rest of the dates but likely we will be racing on the 17th of October in costumes.
Into November mark the 3rd off with an extra hour of sleep that night and finish the season off on the island on the 17th!!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023
So good to see more group practices happening this fall. Lets work to keep building those up. Let us know if you have a practice and we will promote it on the newsletter!

Nanaimo Cross Practices : Done for the season.

Victoria Cross Club : Done for the season

Cowichan Cross Practices: Done for the season?

Comox Valley Cross Practices: Done for the season

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD weekend in November in Chilliwack. This is the weekend between the COTR finals and the National Championships in Victoria. Perfect time to dial in your fitness. Sounds like they are going to have some youth categories which is a small step in the right direction. Still using the really silly UCI age rule for those categories…..small steps….

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26. So far we have not seen the event take up the suggestions that were put forth last year.

Parting Shot
In any sport there are always “those people” that jump in and help out at a moments notice. We are lucky at Cross on the Rock to have a number of “those people”. One of them is the manager of the Airhouse in Nanaimo. Any Hamilton. He is always ready to take some kids around the course, jump in to lead the Riverway Dental Hot lap races, move something heavy and also sponsor the kids race prizes for the Muc Off Cup. Then he goes and races OPEN! One of the few people in open in costume! Always taking it out HARD. Thanks Andy and all of our other “those people” that step in to help make the series great.

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #6 – Time for Hot Crossed Bunnies!!

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023.
Newsletter #6 – Time for Hot Crossed Bunnies!!

BROAD STREET GP – If you were there. You know how awesome it was.

Hot Crossed Bunnies this weekend.

Some information on results and team names to get you warmed up.

GET SIGNED UP FOR NOT CROSSED BUNNIES HERE

Results and Team Names

We have been having some issues with the crossontherock email server. If you have sent an email about an incorrect result and have not received a response, please email palleus@hotmail.com directly and we will get your result corrected asap.

For the team competition, your team name must be exactly the same as the others on your team. To edit your team name, age or home town, find the Edit link to the right of your result.

Then use the Get Password button to have your unique password emailed to the email address you used to register for the race.

You can then edit your details. The same password can be used for all events of the season. If you are a team manager, please contact roland@rabien.com for a master password you can use to edit all members of your team.

1. Hot Crossed Bunnies. Race #5 – Preview

COSTUMES-COSTUMES-COSTUMES. We will be giving away some MUC off and GOODR prizes to the racers with the BEST costumes!!

We don’t know which side numbers are just yet but we will try to post on Saturday night so you can pre-pin!

Read this first. As it was last year Beban Park is still an active construction zone as a huge water main project is happening in the park. The area we race has pipe storage on it again this year which has caused us to move and alter the course based on where the pipes are. Nanaimo Parks and Recreation and in particular a few people that work there have worked hard to make sure this race happens. We are going to put this in all caps now and repeat it in a two places in this newsletter as well as on social media. IF ANYONE FROM OUR EVENT AND/OR RACERS FANS OR FAMILIES GOES ON ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR SUPPLIES THAT ARE ON SITE FOR CONSTRUCTION THEY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE RACE AND NOT ALLOWED TO RACE FOR REMAINDER OF 2023 as well as THE 2024 RACE SEASON. The pipe storage is fenced and covered this year so just steer clear of it and we will be happy. Please tell your friends to steer clear and watch your kids. Thank you in advance for being on this 100%

Read this second. There is a jump competition at the Steve Smith Bike park scheduled the same day as our event. We do not know how big or small this event will be but be aware during your pre-rides and races in that area. It may also effect parking.

Parking: (Consult Map) Beban park is HUGE. But on any given weekend there is a LOT going on. The best place to park for the race is south of the race course in the gravel lot by the Steve Smith Jump park. This is accessed off the main road through the park by the golf course. This is the BEST parking spot for our event. PLEASE DO NOT PARK at the soccer club house parking which is the closest to the start. There is always soccer going on the weekends and they love their close parking lot. The lot by the BMX track is normally under-utilized and close to all the action. The paved parking by the Pool and arena is also a good option. Parking on the roadways or grass is strictly forbidden and will get you towed and we will not like you. There is limited parking as well south of the course by the golf course. You will find a spot without parking like a…..you know…..starts with an “a”.

Team Tents: Will be in the same spot as last year by the sand riding ring. The Weather forecast calls for sun and gentle winds but still make sure your tent is staked and secured. It is drop and go (NO PARKING AT TEAM TENTS AREA) until we close and lock the gates around 9:30am. After that point you will have to carry your gear in. On the flip side the gate will be LOCKED until after the OPEN races so it will be carry out until that point. There will be no team vehicles inside the gate or we will run out of space for the team tents. This will be a GREAT spot to watch. Close to the pits and the course.

Registration: As it has been all season pre-registration only. This will close like normal at 6:00pm the night before the race. In this case that will be SATURDAY NIGHT at 6:00pm. The call up sheets are literally done by 6:10pm the night before the race. So if you FORGET or put it off you are unlikely to get your earned call up spot.

THE LINK TO REGISTER AGAIN IS HERE

For racers that have not raced this year race day number pick up and race central will be located in the Agriplex. Consult the map.

Washrooms: There will be porta johns located at the end of the opening straight away. There are LOTS of other (Flush) washrooms located in Beban park. You can also locate washrooms in almost all buildings in the park. Both arenas. Down by the artificial turf field. In the Pool. NO DIRTY BIKE SHOES OR DIRTY PEOPLE INSIDE THE BUILDINGS OR WASHROOMS. Clean yourself up BEFORE going into a public area. We want to be able to use this venue again. MORE IMPORTANTLY if you are going IN a building LOCK YOUR BIKE (Bikes have been stolen at this event when left unattended. Don’t lose your bike)!!!

Awards: Awards location will be in the Agriplex.

Race Course: The construction this year has meant a continued shake up of our course design. We’ll still have the classic elements that make this course great. MUD, SAND, WOOD CHIPS, PAVEMENT, GRAVEL. It will be be awesome.

Food Truck: Sip and Sliders and One Cool Cookie (Same as Muc Off Cup), will be on-site and ready to serve up lunch or snacks.

Post race: We will want to get the awards going as soon as possible on Sunday. With that in mind please help us both tear down as well as RAKE out the course. With construction we won’t have to worry as much about the top section by the Arenas, but the hill by the BMX and the riding rings always need some work post race. Please bring a rake and work gloves. Many hands make light work and get the work done FAST. We will make an announcement when we are starting the awards….and…..well…..there will be no one left on course so you will notice that the awards have started! Ideally we would like to start as close to 4:00 as possible. Racing will be done around 3:30 so that gives us 30 minutes to get it all done: Torn down. Raked. Trailer loaded for the the District 68 XC Championships and then COWE X.

2. Broad Street Cycles GP. – Review

Photo link from Patrick: https://www.flickr.com/photos/palleus/sets/72177720312175537/

Photo link from Roland: https://photos.rabien.com/Cyclocross/Broad-Street-Cycles-GP/

Video link from Roland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Y7vxb-YpE (Try and spot the Garmin as it falls off and is left behind)

From Roland

Thanks to all racers for coming out to race. Thanks to the spectators for the heckles and the prune juice hand ups.

Shout out to all the volunteers, couldn’t do it without you: Adam Lawrence, Alex Hui, Andrew McCartney, Andy Achuff, Andy Pitre, Brent Hooper, Chad Grice, Doug Doyle, Ella MacPhee, Fabian Merino, Gillian Carleton, Glenowyn Carlson, Holly Henry, Hugh Hart, James Pauly, Jen Cameron, Jon Watkin, Kevin Chen, Kimberly Chen, Liam Sargent, Marin Lowe, Mike Sargent, Richard Stark, Ros Penty, Sammy Long, Shawn McKean

Event Prizes: Broad St Cycles, Muc Off, Eleven Speed Coffee, Goodr, Roland’s Halloween supply, John’s left over bananas and apples, HLC Bike, Accent Inn.

And everybody who helped tear down the course!

OTHER CYCLOCROSS of importance for 2023
Nanaimo Cross Practices LAST ONE!!!! 5:45 on Thursday!! Rock City Cycling and Airhouse practice week we are meeting one more time at BEBAN PARK near the agriplex Bring Lights. Thanks to Andy at Airhouse and Rock City Cycles for bringing back these practices!

Victoria Cross Club : Done for the Season

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: Done for the Season

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD weekend in November in Chilliwack. 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. So far we have not seen the event take up the suggestions that were put forth last year. HOPEFULLY there is still a chance for it to make some changes for the better. We all want the National Championship to improve and develop. Without some changes it will not.

Parting Shot
This was one of the SWEETEST bikes we have EVER seen in the OPEN category at COTR!!
Not sure who it was…..but man he rocked it!!

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023. Newsletter #5 – And the Rain Came.

MUC OFF CUP – Wrap Up
BROAD STREET GP – Look Ahead

Short Intervals to get us warmed up.

So great to see so many COTR racers past, present and future at last Sunday’s Tripleshot Cross Fondo. Once again such a great event! Every year they get permission to put an amazing course through up to 70 individual owner’s properties!

MORE PHOTOS from Cross on the Commons from Patrick

POV Vi deo from Roland’s bike during Coal Cross

It can take some time and coordination but we finally got it all sorted out and donated $2600 to Kidsport yesterday from the Menno Mid Summer Race. Thanks again to everyone that raced and donated.

1. MUC OFF CUP – Wrap Up.

Check out this sweet edit from the crew at Rock City Cycles

PHOTOS from MUC OFF Cup from Patrick

PHOTOS from MUC OFF CUP from Roland

MUC OFF CUP in the NEWS!!

Two years ago an Atmospheric River. Last year, a drought. In my race report last year I asked for something in between and we got it. The right amount of rain for an epic cross race. Biggest race of the year so far, thank you to everyone that came out to race and spectate. Big thanks to Muc Off, HLC and Pete Creighton for the support, prizes and bike washing. Pete and Muc Off support the whole series, not just our race. If you see him out make sure to give him a big thank you for all he does. Thanks to Jamie as well for coming out wrenching and washing. The race went off without a hitch thanks to the set up and timing team. Paul, Shep, Edwin, Dan, Nick, Andy, Solomon, JL, Mustapha, Chad, Erin, Joel and Noah. I hope I didn’t forget anyone. I said last year that we set a record for tear down but I’m pretty sure we beat it this year! Thank you to all the people that stick around and help. Thanks to Patrick and Roland for the amazing job they do with timing and results. Did everyone have a grilled cheese and some ice cream? The food was flying out fast and delicious from Jack’s Grilled Cheese and the coffee and treats from One Cool Cookie hit the spot. Thank you for coming out to our event. Thanks to Medix for being there if we needed you. The City of Nanaimo has supported cyclocross from the beginning and we really appreciate being able to host the races in our local parks. I love hearing so many racers saying that Bowen is their favorite venue. Thanks to Norm. It’s a lot of work to put on one race let alone a series year after year! Always consistent and always professional yet he keeps the community vibe of grassroots. Corey and SeanRock City Cycles
2. Cross on the Rock 2023 Race #4 – Langford – Irwin Park – The Broad Street GP – Preview.

LANGFORD BIKE FEST IN THE NEWS (Does not sound like the clubhouse will be open for their Bikefest)

REGISTRATION CLOSES: Saturday Night at 6:00 PM. No on site registration.
Also for this course we can almost guarantee this…..NUMBERS ON YOUR RIGHT!This is the third year at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park located in Irwin Park (so confusing) in Langford. Year one was a epic rain and mud, year two was fast and dry. This year should be somewhere in between. Our title event sponsor for this event is in the title: Broad St Cycles! Expect a 3km loop with a mix of fast hard packed surfaces, technical features, pump track, and a bit of mud. All set in a beautiful forested park with two mini lakes. Parking this is the BIG issue so PAY attention!!Parking is going to be tight. The club house construction is still ongoing in the main parking lot drastically reducing the number of parking spots when we already had very few.

Please carpool or ride out if you live in greater Victoria.
Please follow the directions of the flaggers
DO NOT PARK on any residential streets. (You will be towed)
Not annoying the neighbours is THE key to being allowed back to this venue.

There are three places you CAN park. See the MAP.

The main parking lot is at 2992 Irwin Road. Please only use this to drop off equipment and then park elsewhere.
Continue on Irwin Rd and make a left onto Creekside Trail for the secondary parking lot.
When both lots are full, there is overflow parking on Constellation Ave, only 500m away.

I repeat: There is NO PARKING on the shoulder of Irwin Rd or other nearby streets.
Please use a parking lot or you will be towed.

Course Hazards

While we have use of the park, there may be people unaware. Keep your head up!
Getting to the start line requires crossing the course, please be careful when the previous race is still finishing.
As always, ride within your ability.
This course IS at a BIKE park. Keep that in mind when you are riding the course and around. There are JUMPS, DROPS and other features…..don’t ride something that you don’t have the skill level for.
Race day is NOT the time to try something above your level! Lets all get home intact!

RegistrationIf you have not raced this year and need to pick up your number OR if you are changing categories etc and need to come to registration. Look for the registration tent in the main parking lot. Team tentsTents will most be near in the main parking lot and secondary parking lot. Please arrive early. If you don’t have a tent, please use the overflow parking. Lets NOT take up ALL the space with your tent AND a vehicle. Be considerate of other racers! PrizesThanks to Broad St Cycles who will be providing sweet prizes for this event along with our generous series sponsors.

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

Category	Start Time
Registration Open	9:15 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
Riverway Dental – Bigger Kids Full lap or almost a full lap	11:40
Intermediate Men (Including U17)	12:10 pm
Intermediate Women (Including U17 and Masters 40 and faster Women)	12:11 pm
Lil Nutcase Kids Race	Not this time.
Masters Men (40-54)	1:15 pm
Super Master Men (55+)	1:16 pm
Open Men	2:30 pm
Open Women	2:31 pm

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.
NOT quite as rainy as we LOVE but still awesome – October 9th. Nanaimo. Bowen park.
Once again this was a GREAT event – October 15th Triple Shot Cross fondo.
October 22nd. Grand Opening of the Langford Bike Park Club (SORRY NOT GOING TO BE OPEN) 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 Two More left! Rock City Cycling and Airhouse practice week we are meeting at the paved parking lot at Dumont. Bring Lights. Rock City Cycling and Airhouse practice 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 (TWO MORE LEFT FOR THE SEASON) 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.

Comox Valley Cross Practices Check their page. They might be done for the season with the days getting short. Here is the FB page

Provincial Championships. The Thrashers bike club will be putting this event on the THIRD 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.

Parting Shot (Looking PRO)

Looking ahead to NEXT weekend!
We return to BEBAN Park for the Hot Crossed Bunnies. The first time in YEARS that the series final will not be at Beban Park!

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

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 6^th 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.

Category	Start Time
Registration Open	9:15 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 lap	11:40
Intermediate Men (Including U17)	12:10 pm
Intermediate Women (Including U17 and Masters 40 and faster Women)	12:11 pm
Lil Nutcase Kids Race	12:15 pm
Masters Men (40-54)	1:15 pm
Super Master Men (55+)	1:16 pm
Open Men	2:30 pm
Open Women	2:31 pm

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.

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 #3 – Getting ready for SUPER October

MUC OFF – Cross on the Rock 2023.
Newsletter #3 – Getting ready for SUPER October

SEASON #17 is underway!!
The Mid Summer Menno race raised $2600 to KidSport. Thank you to everyone that came out and supported this event!
Each event 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 City Cycles and Goodr. Please support our local as well as series sponsors when ever you have a chance.1. Coal Cross Wrap Up.
PHOTOS from Patrick LINK from Coal Cross

Norm’s Notes.

FYI results are posted live through the day on webscorer and then after the event moved to www.crossontherock.com
My bike has still not been washed. It is still dusty!
So many racers in the OPEN men and Masters/Intermediate women’s categories!!
Come on Launch…….racers bring your friends out to try cross!
Tycho’s drink stand saved my life
100+ races and we have never seen anything like Tim’s quad whirly whirl. It was amazing!
So great to see everyone out!! The racing was HOT!
Seemed like there were a lot of mechanical issues. Coal Cross last year was ranked one of the tamest races of all time…..this year not so much!
Some new faces at the front of the races! Always great to see!!

Notes from the Race Director Tom

The opening round of COTR was a great success from our end. A special thanks to Brett and Sinead Whitehead, Beth Pechter, Sonja Hanelt, Nataile Wright, Allison Mathers, Scott McGregor, Phil, Sam & Nico Schum, Dan Lehton, Chuck Ashton, Mark Purcell, Gray Tunnah, Erica Spizawka, Alex Smith, Gavin MacPhail, Dominique McGrady, Loki Motai, and everyone who helped with course tear down after the last race. A big thanks to Tim Roberts for designing and implementing the quad whirly whirl, or as some have coined it, “The Tim’s Drive Thru”.

I hope I didn’t miss anyone, but this event brings out so many amazing community volunteers, and I hope you all realize how your positive attitudes are contagious and improve the attitudes and lives of others.

A huge thanks to our Coal Cross event sponsors as well: Biblio Taco, Blue Toque Sports, Easton/RaceFace, and Trail Bicycles. Please thank these awesome sponsors by ordering a delicious burrito, buying some pre-owned outdoor gear, buying a wheelset or bike parts, and taking your bike in for service with them… all at the same time.

Highlights for me: watching Gray Tunnah hop the barriers, watching the Masters Women’s field fighting each other for gummy worm hand-ups, seeing Drew and Joele out racing again.

Lowlights: Cumberland kids tampering with the course overnight, getting beat by kids who were just being born when I was 22.

See you in Qualicum!

2. Cross on the Commons – Qualicum Beach PREVIEW!!
We have an early preview for you for Race #2 of the 2023 season! Qualicum Beach is ready for us!!

Registration is OPEN and you can register up to 6:00pm the night before the race.

Location: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, 747 Jones St.

Parking: At the Civic Centre, Skateboard Park or on Jones St.

Registration: Near the kids playground and the Team Tent area

Team Tents: Same as last couple of years. Parallel to the paved path that separates lower and middle playing fields. (NO team tents at the Skateboard parking lot) Drop your tent/gear off then park in the lot at the end of Park Rd. Do not spike tent supports within 1 metre of the paved path due to buried irrigation.

Course Description: Similar to last year’s race but with a couple of new kinks. Race start near the most northerly (lower) playing field and run slightly uphill towards the kid’s playground. A clockwise direction on the same grass, same BMX, same goat path, same forested sections. Sadly, not the same sand! Will the ‘logsticals’ be back? Hot/dry or wet/muddy?? Come and find out.

Washrooms: Situated in a standalone building adjacent to the paved path. QB calls it the Fieldhouse and it’s very close to the Registration/Team Tent area.

NOTE #1: Bike wash over at the civic centre, side facing the skateboard park.

NOTE #2: The Dude’s Dogs (CASH ONLY) food truck will be onsite for your dining pleasure.

SEASON #17 COTR Schedule

September 10th. Season opener in Cumberland at Coal Cross. Make it a double header with the Dodge X Off Road triathlon on the Saturday.
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 return for the first time since 2019 with the help of Rock City Cycling and Airhouse. Thursday nights at 6:00pm at Beban Park near the center of the park where we start the Hot Crossed Bunnies race. For future sites keep your eye on the COTR Socials and Rock City Cycles Socials.

Comox Valley Cross Practices Wednesday nights in the Valley. Here is the FB page

Cyclocross National Championships are going to be November 24-25-26 We have now heard that they WILL return to Saanich.

Parting Shot