Snow to Surf

Good Luck Tomorrow to any club members competing in the Snow to Surf Team Relay!

Comox Valley Cycling Coalition Needs your help!

Dear Cycling Community,

As you may be aware, the City of Courtenay, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure intends to widen Cliffe Ave. between 17th and 21st St.  It has come to the attention of the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition that this project has moved ahead to the final design and the acquisition of adjacent private property.  We are informed that a joint decision has been taken by MOTI and the City (i.e. the City Engineer)  NOT to include cycling lanes in this section of reconstruction.    Neither the City Council, nor any member of the Comox Valley Cycling Task Force or the Cycling Public Advisory Committee has been consulted before this decision was taken.  

This project has moved ahead despite the fact that members of the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition as well as the Cycling Public Advisory Committee had repeatedly requested to be involved in the early planning stages of major road improvements; we specifically mentioned Cliffe Ave widening as a project we were interested in.   

We are told it is too costly, and anyway, it's only 4 blocks, and the rest of Cliffe Ave does not have any cycling lanes either and that there is the Riverway and Fitzgerald Avenue which are more bike friendly.  Etc. etc.  

Our concerns:

• 
  
  Cliffe Ave is a designated bicycle route in the 2007 Comox Valley Cycling Plan.  It is the most important north-south artery through the City and it is important that every opportunity be taken to upgrade this corridor to safely accommodate ALL road users, including cyclists.  
• 
  
  Cycling lanes are proposed for Fitzgerald Ave from 26th to 8th St.  This is a welcome improvement, but in no way represents a substitution for the Cliffe Ave Corridor.  We need to make it absolutely clear that all users, including cyclists need to be safely accommodated on all major access corridors into the city.  
• 
  
  The Task Force process is ineffective, if a member of the engineering staff can make a critical decision in contravention of the Cycling Plan without Council involvement.

We have not been provided with the design plans, but we are aware of some technical details:

• 
  
  Land purchase/expansion will be taking place on the east side of Cliffe only (the water side).  As cyclists we can attest to needing only a minimal amount of space (1 meter).  This was deemed too costly during the land purchasing process.
• 
  
  A meridian between the street and sidewalk is included in the design, this is the continuation of the "Mile of Flowers" along the other side of the sidewalk.  
• 
  
  We think the required space IS available but is inefficiently allocated to the various uses. 

As any good bike mechanic will tell you; Buy well, buy once.  Buy poorly, buy often. 

There is no doubt that Cliffe Ave. will one day safely accommodate cyclists.  We are not only the present, but the future of transportation.  The question is, will we pressure our local governments to make the right decisions today, or wait until the slow, dragging political process catches up with reality and has to scramble more taxpayers dollars to make up for the mistakes of the past.

There has been a lack of action since the drafting of the 2007 Comox Valley Cycling Plan (or, even further back, the 1995 Cycling Strategy).

If you want to see the changes actually happen, not anticipate their possibility in 15 years… Join us at City Hall Council Chambers, 4pm , Monday April 12^th and together we’ll let the City know we’re serious about safe cycling routes and clean transportation. We will be asking the City to scrap the current proposed budget until such time that plans to widen Cliffe include cyclists.

Thank you for your support!

Fitness Testing April 10-11

We are planning another testing weekend in Courtenay/Comox on April 10th & 11th  - this will be our 6th trip to Comox for testing since 2007!   In the Fall we had chatted about you possibly forwarding this information onto the CVCC and I promised to give you more warning this time!  Below is the information on the weekend - hope you're interested in seeing how your fitness and your training zones have changed!
 
This is an opportunity for athletes to get an accurate picture of where their fitness is at, evaluate limiting factors and set the training intensities that will allow you to use your training time more effectively so that you get better results.  Brent Armstrong of Rehab in Motion has graciously offered to host us again so we’ll be set up to offer blood lactate and VO2max testing on both the bike and the run.  If you guys are interested in getting tested again, please contact me and reserve a testing slot.  Please forward this invite on to any of your friends or training partners that you think would be interested.
 
I’ve attached a brochure that explains the testing process in more detail and the testing proposal which outlines the testing options and costs.  I’ve also attached a sample set of results to give you an idea of what the end result of the process is and how you can use the testing to evaluate your progress and adjust your training.
 
For those of you who aren’t sure what this testing is all about or how we use it to get better results from your training, there is a quick 5 minute video on our website done by the Discovery Channel when they visited our facility for an episode of Daily Planet.  It explains the science of training and discusses how knowing your training zones allows you to eliminate the guesswork and make every training hour more effective.  The link is:  http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/daily-planet/september-2007/daily-planet-sep-20-2007/#clip17618
 
I’ve attached a brochure that explains the testing process in more detail and the testing proposal which outlines some background on the Peak Centre and the testing options and costs.  I’ve also attached a sample set of results to give you an idea of what the end result of the process is and how you can use the testing to evaluate your progress and adjust your training.
 
 
To Confirm Your Testing Slot
Please contact me with the following information:
1)     what type of assessment you would like to do (bike, run or both),
2)     whether you would like to do lactates or lactates & VO2max & Energy Usage Analysis
3)     what time of day you would prefer (either morning or afternoon).  We will do our best to accommodate your wishes but will work on a first come first served basis.
4)     Arrange the deposit details.
 
 
Assessment Scheduling & Notes
Once I have received the above information from you, I will put together a schedule of assessments.  I will try as much as possible to slot people in at the time of day they request and they will be assigned on a “first come, first served” basis.
 
 
Deposit Details
We ask for a $50 deposit to confirm your testing slot.  Please give the Peak Centre a call before noon on Thursday April 1st and provide a method of payment.  The remainder of the balance will be due after your assessment.
 
 
Testing Details
Date:  Saturday, April 10th
Time:  8am-5pm
Location: Rehabilitation in Motion
Address: #780 Grant Avenue, Courtenay
 
Each assessment will take about an hour.  Please try to be at Rehab in Motion at least 10 minutes before your assessment is scheduled to start.
 
 
Consult Details
Date:  Sunday April 11th
Time:  To Be Confirmed on April 2nd (we will set the consult time as we see the mix of assessments in case we need to do some assessments on Sunday morning)
Duration:  90min – 2hrs
Location: Rehabilitation in Motion
Address: #780 Grant Avenue, Courtenay
 
Topics discussed will include blood lactate, lactic acid, muscle fibre types, aerobic threshold, lactate threshold, VO2 max, heart rate training zones and most importantly, how to use the testing information to make your training hours more effective.
 
 
What Happens Next?
Once we get confirmations from each of you, we’ll send out the pre-assessment paperwork to you.  There is a set of instructions on what to do and what not to do in the 24 hours before your assessment and some paperwork that must be filled out before the assessment.  Once we hear from the individuals being tested, we’ll put together a schedule of the testing appointments and send that out to you as well.
 
 
Any Questions?
Feel free to give me a call on our toll free number at 1-877-299-7325 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-877-299-7325      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or send me an email at mike@peakcentrevancouver.ca if you have any questions about any of the weekends activities.
 
Peak Centre Hours Are:
Monday – Friday:  9am – 8pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
 
 
We look forward to seeing you guys in a few weeks!
 
Cheers,
 
Mike
 
Mike McIvor
Peak Centre for Human Performance - Vancouver
101-4181 East Hastings Street.
Burnaby, B.C., V5C 2J3
Tel:  604-299-7959 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              604-299-7959      end_of_the_skype_highlighting  Fax: 1-866-752-5264
Web:  www.peakcentrevancouver.ca<http://www.peakcentrevancouver.ca/>
email:  mike@peakcentrevancouver.ca

Ride with Team Diabetes and Make a Difference!

Ride with Team Diabetes in the exciting, new Whistler GranFondo and make a difference in the lives of the 3 million Canadians and someone you know with diabetes.

Team Diabetes is celebrating its 10^th anniversary and to date over 4,000 team members have raised $23.5 million in support of research, advocacy and programs such as camps for kids with diabetes but a lot more still needs to be done. You can help the Canadian Diabetes Association get closer to its goals by riding with Team Diabetes!

In addition to the satisfaction of supporting such a great cause, team members receive:

·          GUARANTEED race entry

·          Team Diabetes cycling jersey

·          On-line fundraising tools and support

Although spots are guaranteed for Team Diabetes, space is limited so join Team Diabetes today! Registration closes July 2 or when the spots are filled – whichever comes first.

For more information contact Rebecca at rebecca.taylor@diabetes.ca / 604-732-1331 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              604-732-1331      end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext. 246 or go to www.teamdiabetes.ca.

2010 Comox Cup Race Bible

Hi All

The 2010 race bible has been posted on the right side just below "Comox Valley Cycle Club" Sidebar. In the document you will find race information about what races will happen this year, the distances, start times, costs, time trial information, and lots more information. At a later date (closer to each race) a race bible for each race will be posted (If i dont get too lazy) for any out of town riders or first time riders. If cannot open the document please email me at Doug_Merrick@hotmail.com, and i will try to fix the problem, or just email you a copy of the Comox Cup Series.
Cheers
Doug

February Club Meeting

Executive Meeting
Feb.22, 2010
7 p.m.
Present:
Ray Wagner! ! Andrew Brown! !
John Bernard! Peter Schwirtlich! !
Kent Duncan!! Doug Merrick
Chuck Sinclair
Spring Learn-to-Race Camp. Presentation by Ray as follow-up. The CVCC will host 3
learn to race clinics for cyclist interested in taking a shot at racing. This will target riders
mature riders wishing to enter the “C” level races or “B” level. The clinics will be held
April 26, May 3, and May 10. The focus will be on rider position, riding tactics, and
group techniques for fast, safe, cycling. The minimal fee of $50 will gain the riders
access to: 3 clinics, CVCC annual membership, CyclingBC insurance for 2010, and
race entry to the Tsolum River Road as part of the Comox Cup Series.
Website: The CVCC has contacted Internic concerning our Domain Name and we are
proceeding with restructuring the web-site to redirect to CVCC.ca. For the latest club
news keep going to comoxvalleycycleclub.blogspot.com/
Promotions: Andrew has contacted the people involved with In-Focus and is working
to get an article published that shows the Club and the Valley as an established, superfriendly
cycling community with some very fast juniors.
Registrations: Ray is taking care of the clubʼs registration with CyclingBC. John will be
handling club registration and you will receive your registration package via a PDF file in
your email. Simply print it off and mail it via the address on the form. Donʼt forget the
attached waiver. Club fees are still $20.00 so get signed up soon.
$40-
$130
Purchase a UCI/CCA Cycling BC Race
License if any of the following statements
are true:
• You will be racing in Cycling BC
sanctioned races and/or races outside of
the province
• You wish to race in your age or ability
class
• You wish to collect provincial series and
upgrade points
• You will be racing as part of a provincial
trade team
• You wish to belong to a Cycling BC high
performance, development or provincial
team
• You wish to hold a technical license
(Race Organizer, Manager, Commissaire,
Coach)
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO
PURCHASE A UCI/CCA CYCLING BC
RACE LICENSE
$42
Purchase a Citizen Race License if the
following statements are true:
• You will only be racing in Cycling BC
sanctioned races
• You wish to gain race experience without
purchasing a UCI license
• You are willing to race only in the citizen
category (MTB) or lowest available
category (Cat 4)
• You do not wish to collect provincial
series or upgrade points
• You will only be racing Road/Track/CX or
MTB
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO
PURCHASE A CYCLING BC CITIZEN
RACE LICENSE
$32 Purchase a Club Associate
Membership if the following statements
are true:
• You belong to a club
• You only wish to ride in your own club’s
activities
• You are not interested in racing in
Cycling BC calendar races
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO PURCHASE
A CYCLING BC CLUB ASSOCIATE
MEMBERSHIP
Jerseys: In March you will receive a list and prices for Jerseys, Bibs, Jackets, and Skinsuits
(the pricey aero ones). We will order them but this time you pay up front.
We are staying with Pactimo and so the design and colours are registered with them for
speedier delivery.
Sponsorship: Jeff Beeston at Trail Bikes has contacted the club and is going to sponsor the
Time Trial Series and some of the Road Races. A BIG THANKS to Trail Bikes. We will be
contacting the other bike shops with the same offer as last year to help with the Comox Cup
events and to provide draw prizes for volunteers and contestants.
Chuck presented a mock-up of a bulletin board that we hope will find a happy home at each of
the valley bike shops. The bulletin boards will have club contacts, events, and space for the
latest postings.
Andrew is working closely with the Downtown Business Association to host a Downtown Crit.
Racing: Doug is setting up a protocol for all Comox Cup Racers to sign-up for volunteer help
(do it or provide it). We will try the Gentlemenʼs or Gentlewomanʼs agreement that if you race
you also volunteer and help out. Watch for this at comoxvalleycycleclub.blogspot.com/
Meeting adjourned at 8:55
Next Meeting: Comox Rec. Centre Rm. D

2010 Road Race Season

Hi everyone
3 of the 4 race dates have been decided
Tsolum River Road Race May 16
Minto Road Race June 13
Dove Creek Omnium July 17-18
Championship Weekend TBA but will fall on a August 15, 22, 29. We are waiting on Cycling BC to post when the provincial TT/RR is in August to schedule around that.
The race bible containing all this information and more is almost complete but some details need to be finalized for the time trial series before it is posted.
Stay Tuned!!