BC Bike Race
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:19 pm
The experience doing a staged mountain bike race is incredible and this is definitely the one to do if anyone ever gets the chance. On day zero it was described as adult mountain bike camp and that is what it is, so much stuff has been thought out and taken care of. You can go to BCBR to look at the results. Matt Hewitt and Russel Anderson are racing together and are so strong, Tanya Berg is the leader in the challenge womens solo race, Katie is doing amazing and is racing way stronger than she can walk, Roland what can you say he is an animal. In the double men 100years + when you combine the ages Pierre Harvey and his partner are leading - that is Pierre Harvey from Canadian Cross Country Skiing fame. I met Dre today he told me he had heard about me - thanks Dave
It is a real learning curve, doing the stages the first day I was envious of the fitness of the women here and worried that I was not strong enough on the hills. The single track has been to my advantage to be relaxed on the roots and enjoy them. The second day I was having a strong day and moving up in the field because the girl in first Jen Schulz had a flat and couldn't get her CO2 to work. Soon after that I got a flat, found I had lost the handle of my pump and didn't know how to use the CO2 cartridge. I got help from another cyclist but as soon as I started to ride I realized it was too soft. Had to find another nice person and take his pump. I finished 5th that day and was out of 4th by 3 minutes.
Today's motivation was that I had to make up the three minutes so push through. I also used ' no regrets '. It was hot in Powell River and we had a late start 12:45. On the course I had my cousins, Uncle and Aunts out cheering at different spots with signs made up for my brother and I. I missed one set and didn't see the signs but really appreciated seeing family that were so excited about the BC Bike Race being in Powell River. Again trying to stay relaxed in the singletrack with the mud, roots and corners. I also learned that even though we have a controlled 6km start. Its okay not to be with the lead pack. To use it as warmup monitor my HR and not get excited that when we first go into the single track and I am stuck behind a lot of people that are having trouble. Believe that this is also still a warmup and they will move and sort themsleves out. The lead woman didnot pass me until maybe 45 minutes in and she is finishing with amazing times. Races don't get won off the start.
I thought I might have podiumed today but I was 4th. I have 10 minutes to make up to take 3rd spot and I got my 3 minutes on the woman who was 4th. Day 4 is supposed to be the hard day, lots of climbing road and single track and a 62 km route. I am glad to have a night away from camp. The second day I was amazed at how I felt tired during the start, tomorrow I will just accept this is the warm up, this how you feel it will go away. The racers here have been great and so far it has been a lot of fun racing in the Jungles of the Island and Sunshine Coast. Hope to do Hurricane Ridge with someone who hasn't gone or wants to go again
It is a real learning curve, doing the stages the first day I was envious of the fitness of the women here and worried that I was not strong enough on the hills. The single track has been to my advantage to be relaxed on the roots and enjoy them. The second day I was having a strong day and moving up in the field because the girl in first Jen Schulz had a flat and couldn't get her CO2 to work. Soon after that I got a flat, found I had lost the handle of my pump and didn't know how to use the CO2 cartridge. I got help from another cyclist but as soon as I started to ride I realized it was too soft. Had to find another nice person and take his pump. I finished 5th that day and was out of 4th by 3 minutes.
Today's motivation was that I had to make up the three minutes so push through. I also used ' no regrets '. It was hot in Powell River and we had a late start 12:45. On the course I had my cousins, Uncle and Aunts out cheering at different spots with signs made up for my brother and I. I missed one set and didn't see the signs but really appreciated seeing family that were so excited about the BC Bike Race being in Powell River. Again trying to stay relaxed in the singletrack with the mud, roots and corners. I also learned that even though we have a controlled 6km start. Its okay not to be with the lead pack. To use it as warmup monitor my HR and not get excited that when we first go into the single track and I am stuck behind a lot of people that are having trouble. Believe that this is also still a warmup and they will move and sort themsleves out. The lead woman didnot pass me until maybe 45 minutes in and she is finishing with amazing times. Races don't get won off the start.
I thought I might have podiumed today but I was 4th. I have 10 minutes to make up to take 3rd spot and I got my 3 minutes on the woman who was 4th. Day 4 is supposed to be the hard day, lots of climbing road and single track and a 62 km route. I am glad to have a night away from camp. The second day I was amazed at how I felt tired during the start, tomorrow I will just accept this is the warm up, this how you feel it will go away. The racers here have been great and so far it has been a lot of fun racing in the Jungles of the Island and Sunshine Coast. Hope to do Hurricane Ridge with someone who hasn't gone or wants to go again
