Bear Mountain Hill Climb Fri May 28

[shawnc]

Who is participating in or watching the hill climb at Bear Mountain next Friday?

I'm planning on taking the bus out there and biking the five km to the start point. Would I be able to stash my backpack in anyone's vehicle?

Or would anyone who has extra room in their vehicle be willing to give me a lift? That might be easier to coordinate time-wise.

Race package pickup is from 4:30 to 5:30 in the parking lot across the way; the race starts at 6:00.

[jeremy]

I think I'm gonna drive out to watch, so I could give you a lift if you want one.

[Rita]

I'm gonna drive and can give you or others a lift too. Let me know who wants to jump on board.

[dreeves]

Rita, Jeremy and Shawn... I would like a lift out as well, or Shawn and Rita, if you wanted to do an easy spin out together, perhaps we could then drop our stuff in Jeremy's vehicle.

dylan

[shawnc]

I like the idea of doing an easy spin out then storing our stuff in Jeremy's vehicle. Where and when would you like to meet?

[dreeves]

How about 4:15 at the switch-bridge? I can meet earlier if you think it is necessary.

dylan

[shawnc]

I think that would give us enough time. Anyone else want to join us?

[Rita]

If it's really an easy spin out, I'd be up for it too.

[jeremy]

So it looks like I wouldn't be able to make it out there in time for registraion, but I'll be out later on to cheer you guys and girls on

[BearPope Recruit]

I'd like to ride out - see you Friday at the switch bridge at 4:15!

[Ian]

Jeremy is there a spot in your car for another spectator? I can meet you when and wherever, chip in for gas if you want, etc.

[sylvan]

I have passenger room but I need to be out there at 4:30 for setup and marshalling.

[gav_eaton]

I did 4 repeats up Bear last night - and let me say that it is a killer! There are a couple of spots to catch you breath, but the end is particularly nauseating. The last km is definitely the worst!

Sure glad I'm going to miss that race! Good luck with that.

But I am planning on coming out, cowbell in hand, to cheer on you nut-bags. Planning to meet a few other people at the bottom around 6 and then walk up as far as my little girls will let me drag them.

I'll bring the beer, you guys bring the barf

[Rita]

Gavin, you scared me! I thought I did the correct Bear Mtn climb last weekend, but the last km wasn't the worst, so now I'm thinking that I went wrong somewhere?
I went up along Bear Mtn Pkwy all the way until I reached the resort, which meant a 500m climb between ~2k and 2.5k, then some leveling off, straight through a round about (rather then the steep hill to the left -> don't tell me that that's the way to go) and then into the resort passing some big parking lots to the right. Is there something else to come once you reach the resort?

[AlW]

Unfortunately, you take a left at the roundabout and keep going up. I've done the climb numerous times and concur with Gavin's description. The last 1km is nasty.

Here's the course map: http://www.victoria-cycling.com/BearMountainHCMap.html

[sylvan]

(rather then the steep hill to the left -> don't tell me that that's the way to go)

As a good and hard-nosed friend is oft wont to say: "when in doubt, go up."

[Rita]

That's funny. It would have been my natural inclination to go up the steep hill. I said to Andrea, it must be the uphill rather than the rolling down hill one since the race is supposed to be nasty, but the road signs said that Bear Mtn Parkway was the down hillish one and the uphill one had a different name, which I can't recall now. That convinced me. Oh dear ...

[gav_eaton]

Yes, you're right Al - there is a left at the final round-about just before the Westin resort. Then you head up for another km or so to the summit through a residential area. It's brutal, and it steadily gets steeper after the round-about!

My first time up yesterday I thought it was only to the resort as well - but then followed a Bob and gang up and realized I had missed the last bit of fun. My heart rate 180 and I wasn't even going full bore - I was actually a bit confused as to why it wasn't 190 because I was starting to see stars and taste blood!

[Rita]

Thanks Gav for the details. That's exactly what I wanted to hear

[gav_eaton]

Sorry about that - but at least I'm bring beer and....