BC Cup Finals & Provincials

[Roland]

I managed to round up Jen and Jamie Cameron to come with me to the races this weekend.

First up was Jamie in Cat 4 men. He was 4th going into the first tricky section when a rider in front fell snagging his quick release, undoing his front wheel. After fixing that he put on a clinic on how to race cross. Opening a huge gap and winning by 3 or 4 minutes. He asked the Cycling BC official for a instant upgrade after the race and was denied. I guess if they want him in Cat 4 then it isn't sandbagging.

Next up was Jen & I. Open Women and Cat 3. I think there was 11 women and 13 Cat 3. I gave it my all, highest average heart rate for an effort over 45 minutes. The course did not suit me. Lots of very slippy grass sections that I was just too slow at. I'd pass people on the straights only to get reposed in the corners. I'm not exactly sure how I finished, probably last. I compared my time to Jamie's, if i had stayed in Cat 4 I would have been 2nd. Jen also found the race tough, finishing 10th.

Then we headed to Accent Inns for the night. Checked out which rubber duckies we got, got some Thai food and went to bed early.

Provincials today! Adam is coming over, not sure about anybody else. Wish us luck!

[sylvan]

I gave it my all, highest average heart rate for an effort over 45 minutes... I'd pass people on the straights only to get reposed in the corners. I'm not exactly sure how I finished, probably last. I compared my time to Jamie's, if i had stayed in Cat 4 I would have been 2nd.

That's awesome, I'd take a better race and a lesser finishing position over a good finishing position any day.

Provincials today! Adam is coming over, not sure about anybody else. Wish us luck!

Get out there and crush some dreams!

[AdamD]

Sorry to disappoint guys, turns out i cant make it.
Got hit pretty hard the last couple days with assignments and exams.
Good luck!

[Roland]

[wonger]

wa-HOOO! Way to go Jen!!! Is that the first Tripleshot provincial podium? Awesome! Can't wait to read your report.

[Rolf]

Yeah, Jen!!

[Roland]

Me, in duck form:



Check out this series of about 10 photos to get an idea how slippery it was on Saturday. Make sure to check out the background of each picture, it's like a Where's Waldo of people falling over.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35696093@N ... /lightbox/

[Quentin]

Congrats Jen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roland]

Of the 31 possible medal categories, Vancouver Island took 12 podium spots, three of them championship jerseys - a great sign of all the work Wendy Simms and Norm Thibault do in promoting the sport of Cyclocross with the Cross on the Rock series.

Full results: http://www.pedalmag.com/index.php?modul ... m_id=19493

[Lister Farrar]

Me, in duck form:



Check out this series of about 10 photos to get an idea how slippery it was on Saturday. Make sure to check out the background of each picture, it's like a Where's Waldo of people falling over.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35696093@N ... /lightbox/

I thought it was very sporting how you smeared mud on the shoulder and elbow of your new skin suit to make the crash (or ministry-of-silly-walks?) victims feel like they belonged.

Props to you and Jenn.

[BearPope Recruit]

Definitely a fun weekend of 'cross action! Sorry not to report sooner but I don't have any electronic gadgets attached to my fingers...

Saturday was definitely about trying to keep the rubber side down (or your ass off the grass...) and survive the double sand pit of doom. The announcer did a great job of a full running commentary and kept referring to the Rocky Mountain "slip & slide" - I thought there were several sections this could describe. Also one set of barriers, and a half ass whirly whirl on top of a knoll, that became a bit slick over time. Open women had 11, which was the biggest turnout of the year for the BC Cup series.

Provincials Sunday was a lot of fun with lots of features all rolled into one great course. Two sets of stairs, a flyover, twists & turns through the trees, barriers, gravel field, short steep climbs, a few straight aways, and a MUD PIT. Many island racers out so lots of great support for cheering. Masters women had 4 starters (elite had 7). Unfortunately no epic battle tales to tell myself but I think the two teammates in 2nd and 3rd were going pretty hard. In the 2nd to last lap, one of them fell and broke her derailleur, putting me into third and onto the podium. Check out this video of the masters race - lots of coverage of the course features, as well as Roland, Jamie Cameron, Regan Pringle, Chris George and Steve Bachop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFR_XxbYunU

Big thanks to Accent Inns for their TS support! The Burnaby hotel made a great stopover in between races.

Cheers, Jen