Nifty Fifty Race in Pembeton

[glenowyn]

Instead of doing the three races in Victoria I went up to do the race in Pemberton mainly to ride somewhere I hadn't.

We got to the campsite after 11 pm and I set up my tent in te pouring rain. At 4am I had to abandon and sleelp in the car. The next day it kept pouring down and it was hard to think if a warm up would do much good. The race got delayed for a 11;15 Pembie start. The course had 2 huge climbs one on the road and one on single track that had 101 switchbacks about an hour total of climbing and 1 and half of descending. My gears did not work and were skipping all over. I climbed in only two gears.
When I started the single track they were worse. I stepped to the side and tried to fix them and soon after that thr chain broke and that was the end of my race. I heard how great the downhill was and was jealous. Pemberon has some great trails and I would love to ride it again.
Catherine Pendrel and her husband Keith were there. She got all the recognition she deserves coming fron her World Cup win. She won both womens hill climb primes and was 12th overall
My friend Amanda and I would always play I bet Alison Sydor never had to deal with this.. So when my tent got soaked I thought there is no way Cahterine is camping. Well she was and their tent also got wet on Keith's side. They both didn't notice until the morning. I ended up sleeping in their tent, the next night and they took the pickup. Not all elite athletes are sleeping in hotel rooms. She also has tried a handcycle and said it was difficult not to use legs when turning a corner.
I was glad to read Jen's comments about Cory becaue he is helpingout with the Sir James Douglas Bike Program and has also said Good Effort to me during races

[Rolf]

Crazy story, Glen. Makes riding in the rain along the waterfront seem like a summer's picnic...

[Roland]

Sounds like I need to put the Nimby Fifty on my list of races to do for next year. Hopefully it won't conflict with Bastion Square again next year.