BC Bike race Day 0

BC Bike race Day 0
Originally uploaded by Steed Cycles

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.