BC Bike Race 2008
June 29, 2008
Day 2
Lake Cowichan to Port Alberni
Oh, what a sorry day! Off the start in a controlled neutral pack for 12 km before the hammer comes down. Then it is 110km of gravel road, road, road, so much that it almost makes me think that I am back in South Africa. Unfortunately, just before the pack release, some sketchiness ensues and boom, down goes Tim. Apparently, someone was riding up the shoulder and pulled into the pack just as a number of people braked ahead. Unprepared, our illustrious fiend slammed on the brakes and careened into Tim, hooking handle bars. All I heard was the big crash, and then everyone telling me that my buddy was down. Once out of the pack, I headed back hoping that a) he was OK, and b) the bike was not broken. Well one out of two isn’t bad.
Tim was up and walking but complaining of a sore back. Examination revealed that he had landed on his CO2 canister and it had exploded in his back pocket. Hey, nothing like a little freezer burn to go along with the bruises and abrasions. The bike was in worse shape. Tim’s front wheel was tacoed and it looked like the race might be over. Medical arrived and I borrowed a phone to call Tom and get him to bring out the spare wheelset. The phone rang but he didn’t pick up. Why didn’t he pick up? Well why else… he had decided to follow the field out on his bike and when I looked up there he was. We grabbed his wheel, but had to do some quick work on Tim’s brakes as he runs 175mm rotors and Tom runs 165’s. We think that it took about 15 minutes to get going but with the pack running at 30 kph, we must have been 3 to 4 km back. Worst of all we would have no help over this day as the field would undoubtedly pull farther out as the day progressed.
No whining please, just get about the work. We started off working well together and eventually started to reel in riders. The heat was relentless and there was very little shade to be found. Once again, I bonked about 3 hrs in and the day deteriorated into survival mode. For the first time in ages both legs started cramping and it seemed like they just wouldn’t go away. I felt so stupid at one point as we ripped into the only single track of the day and as I tried to finesse the bike, I cramped up and promptly ran into an uprooted stump. The marshals came running down the trail and Tim pulled up, I am sure with some exasperation.
Eventually it ended, and we appear to have lost about an hour to our competition. Hopefully over the next few days we can claw some of it back.
Monday, June 30, 2008
BC Bike Race Day 1
BC Bike Race 2008
June 28, 2008
Day 1
Shawnigan Lake to Lake Cowichan
An early start to the day ensued for 0700 hr breakfast in the main hall and then it was back to the room to get kitted up for the race. My partner in this race is Tim Graveson another Steed Cycle team member. Tim has extensive experience racing all types of bicycles and is quite a treat to watch as he flicks the bike back and forth on the trails. Watching him ride downhill on a XC bike really brings home to me what “flow” is really about. While I run into things and bang and crash my way over roots and rocks, Tim seems to effortlessly be one with the bike. It seems sometime like the bike never even touches the ground. He is 31 years old and compared to me a rocket. Since I am 49 we just squeak into the Masters category, but it remains to be seen if I can hang on to his wheel as the week progresses.
Other Steed riders here include Michelle Newton and Alex Watson riding in the female open (Steed Sistas), Justin Mark riding with Arrowsmith rider Jeff Riemer (Helly Hansen-Vancouver Island), and Trevor Stone riding with buddy Clive Russell (Spin Doctors) in the male open. Here’s hoping for some stellar results.
Day 1 starts off with 2 quick laps of the school grounds… and oh how eventful they were. If there is one thing that you must expect in this business it is to expect the unexpected and then figure out how to deal with. The last part of the lap lead us into a freshly cut hay field and a wander into the cut grass quickly resulted in the drive train mayhem. Tim and I watched as pretty much every one of the top teams pulled off and started pulling grass out of their cogsets. Last year’s winner Chris Eatough appeared to rip off a derailleur. Tim and I emerged unscathed by sticking to the edge of the field. By the time the second lap led us through the field grooves in the grass appeared to set up and it was not as much of an issue.
30 minutes in and “Oh my god” is Tim ever fast. My heart rate was pinned wide open and still it was all I could do to keep him in sight. Thankfully a little side slope single track ensued and allowed me to get back in touch. My last few races have seen me as the stronger rider so I guess some might see this as a little payback. I quickly learned again that when you are going flat out, time flies by and you tend to forget to eat and drink. The heat was unrelenting, and just as we headed up the longest climb of the day, el bonko arrived. It appeared that most of the double/single track climb was rideable but in my condition it didn’t quite happen. At least the hour that passed allowed me to rehydrate and fuel up. I can’t say that I felt great at the top aid station but I seemed to come back to about 80%. They say that 20% dehydration decreases your power output by 60% because it was sure hard to find that middle ring on the way up. A quick fire road descent spit us out onto the Cowichan rail bed and it was then 28 km of slightly uphill track to the finish. Man, did that ever hurt after a long day. It never seemed to end, but Tim pulled through and led it out most of the way.
I think we were both a little surprised after my mid day bonk to finish 5th in Masters and only 30 some odd minutes off the lead Masters team. There was much discussion amongst the regulars that the organizers had managed to put together one of the toughest first days ever.
So far, my overall impression as a second year rider at this event is they have listened to the competitors and turned it up a notch. Dean Payne the founder of the race says that two of the three most important items are food and then course. So far, he is spot on on both. Tomorrow brings the “road” day as we connect Lake Cowichan to Port Alberni. Hopefully, Tim and I can find a reasonable group and hide for the day.
June 28, 2008
Day 1
Shawnigan Lake to Lake Cowichan
An early start to the day ensued for 0700 hr breakfast in the main hall and then it was back to the room to get kitted up for the race. My partner in this race is Tim Graveson another Steed Cycle team member. Tim has extensive experience racing all types of bicycles and is quite a treat to watch as he flicks the bike back and forth on the trails. Watching him ride downhill on a XC bike really brings home to me what “flow” is really about. While I run into things and bang and crash my way over roots and rocks, Tim seems to effortlessly be one with the bike. It seems sometime like the bike never even touches the ground. He is 31 years old and compared to me a rocket. Since I am 49 we just squeak into the Masters category, but it remains to be seen if I can hang on to his wheel as the week progresses.
Other Steed riders here include Michelle Newton and Alex Watson riding in the female open (Steed Sistas), Justin Mark riding with Arrowsmith rider Jeff Riemer (Helly Hansen-Vancouver Island), and Trevor Stone riding with buddy Clive Russell (Spin Doctors) in the male open. Here’s hoping for some stellar results.
Day 1 starts off with 2 quick laps of the school grounds… and oh how eventful they were. If there is one thing that you must expect in this business it is to expect the unexpected and then figure out how to deal with. The last part of the lap lead us into a freshly cut hay field and a wander into the cut grass quickly resulted in the drive train mayhem. Tim and I watched as pretty much every one of the top teams pulled off and started pulling grass out of their cogsets. Last year’s winner Chris Eatough appeared to rip off a derailleur. Tim and I emerged unscathed by sticking to the edge of the field. By the time the second lap led us through the field grooves in the grass appeared to set up and it was not as much of an issue.
30 minutes in and “Oh my god” is Tim ever fast. My heart rate was pinned wide open and still it was all I could do to keep him in sight. Thankfully a little side slope single track ensued and allowed me to get back in touch. My last few races have seen me as the stronger rider so I guess some might see this as a little payback. I quickly learned again that when you are going flat out, time flies by and you tend to forget to eat and drink. The heat was unrelenting, and just as we headed up the longest climb of the day, el bonko arrived. It appeared that most of the double/single track climb was rideable but in my condition it didn’t quite happen. At least the hour that passed allowed me to rehydrate and fuel up. I can’t say that I felt great at the top aid station but I seemed to come back to about 80%. They say that 20% dehydration decreases your power output by 60% because it was sure hard to find that middle ring on the way up. A quick fire road descent spit us out onto the Cowichan rail bed and it was then 28 km of slightly uphill track to the finish. Man, did that ever hurt after a long day. It never seemed to end, but Tim pulled through and led it out most of the way.
I think we were both a little surprised after my mid day bonk to finish 5th in Masters and only 30 some odd minutes off the lead Masters team. There was much discussion amongst the regulars that the organizers had managed to put together one of the toughest first days ever.
So far, my overall impression as a second year rider at this event is they have listened to the competitors and turned it up a notch. Dean Payne the founder of the race says that two of the three most important items are food and then course. So far, he is spot on on both. Tomorrow brings the “road” day as we connect Lake Cowichan to Port Alberni. Hopefully, Tim and I can find a reasonable group and hide for the day.
BC Bike race Day 0
BC Bike Race 2008
June 27, 2008
Day 0
Vancouver to Shawnigan Lake
On the road again, we’re on the road again…
Off to the 2008 version of the BC Bike Race, 7 days of supreme single track riding from Shawnigan Lake, near Victoria on Vancouver Island to mountain bike heaven in Whistler, BC.
The bikes have been prepped by Kris. A test ride has confirmed everything is in order. Our support crew, Tom is ready to keep us in the zone. The plans have been made and ferries and hotels booked. Now we just have to get there and race.
Often the hardest part of one of these multi day races is getting to the venue. The start at Shawnigan Lake requires a ferry ride or sea plane flight across the Strait of Georgia and through the Gulf Islands unless you arrange a commercial flight directly into Victoria. The two lead sponsors of this years BC Bike race, BC Ferries and Harbour Air do exactly that, so many racers were treated to some spectacular scenery on the way over.
Our plan was to take the ferry from Vancouver to Swartz Bay and drive the short distance to Shawnigan Lake. Ferry reservation in hand we headed through Vancouver to the terminal. One never knows when adventure will strike in these races, and for this race, adventure started very early.
Halfway across town the cell phone goes off and it’s a fellow racer clearly in a panic and demanding where are you????, no exactly where are you???? The ensuing question is obviously why, what does it matter???? Well the story soon comes out the he is already in the ferry line up and guess what: through some sort of mix up he has forgotten his bag with all his bike gear at home. Excuse me, how do you forget the bag with all your gear before a seven day bike race????
Once over to the island we made our way to Shawnigan Lake School. What a beautiful place! Registration in the central hall (think Hogwarts, I kept looking for Dumbledore). Accommodation in spotless dorms, and a quick ride to get the legs loose. Dinner in the central hall and then the mandatory race briefing. A brief discussion about tactics and the expected high temperatures?? And then off to bed ready to give her in the am.
June 27, 2008
Day 0
Vancouver to Shawnigan Lake
On the road again, we’re on the road again…
Off to the 2008 version of the BC Bike Race, 7 days of supreme single track riding from Shawnigan Lake, near Victoria on Vancouver Island to mountain bike heaven in Whistler, BC.
The bikes have been prepped by Kris. A test ride has confirmed everything is in order. Our support crew, Tom is ready to keep us in the zone. The plans have been made and ferries and hotels booked. Now we just have to get there and race.
Often the hardest part of one of these multi day races is getting to the venue. The start at Shawnigan Lake requires a ferry ride or sea plane flight across the Strait of Georgia and through the Gulf Islands unless you arrange a commercial flight directly into Victoria. The two lead sponsors of this years BC Bike race, BC Ferries and Harbour Air do exactly that, so many racers were treated to some spectacular scenery on the way over.
Our plan was to take the ferry from Vancouver to Swartz Bay and drive the short distance to Shawnigan Lake. Ferry reservation in hand we headed through Vancouver to the terminal. One never knows when adventure will strike in these races, and for this race, adventure started very early.
Halfway across town the cell phone goes off and it’s a fellow racer clearly in a panic and demanding where are you????, no exactly where are you???? The ensuing question is obviously why, what does it matter???? Well the story soon comes out the he is already in the ferry line up and guess what: through some sort of mix up he has forgotten his bag with all his bike gear at home. Excuse me, how do you forget the bag with all your gear before a seven day bike race????
Once over to the island we made our way to Shawnigan Lake School. What a beautiful place! Registration in the central hall (think Hogwarts, I kept looking for Dumbledore). Accommodation in spotless dorms, and a quick ride to get the legs loose. Dinner in the central hall and then the mandatory race briefing. A brief discussion about tactics and the expected high temperatures?? And then off to bed ready to give her in the am.
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