Day # 3 - BC Bike Race

WOW and OMG is all I can say about today!!

I placed myself right up front today as knew it was my style course and for sure didn't want to get stuck behind people on this day, I heard the trails were epic and wanted to experience them at speed :)
It was a complete hammer off the start with a few kms of road and straight into single track. I was in great position and the flow and speed was there from the beginning compared to the last few days. We had about 30km's of pure xc trails, then a big 10km / 45-60min climb right in the middle of the course up a fire road, and was in with a great bunch of guys (all from Nth Van). Broke my chain and had someone help fix it pretty quick, while I see the other solo girl now pass me, I jump back on the bike to chase. We arrived at the peak and then had a 20min+ downhill section, I caught her pretty quick and was stoked to have a chance to pass straight away. I had a complete clean run down some amazing trails and was loving it. Back out to some fire roads for a bit where I had a couple of guys to work with and they were looking after me and making me work to stick in!! then another 20km of more unbelievable trails. After 4hrs I still had a smile on my face. Got an extra 6mins lead today to make it a total of 23mins. With still 4 days to go, this really isn't much (couple flats or mechanicals, or some open road climbs where she catches me pretty quick - so still lots of hard work to go).
Sorry no pics but am sure there are some on the website www.bcbikerace.com

Megan

Day # 2 - BC Bike Race

Today was tough. I had the leaders jersey on but decided not to place myself right up the front as the profile of the course looked to be a straight 5km climb off the start, so would have just had people pass me. What a big mistake. After getting the police escort through Nanaimo we hit the single track and I was too far back to keep the flow - people walking ridable sections, bottleneck, and just pure slowness on some sweet track that you could fly through. By days end it probably cost me at least 20mins. After about an hour it opened up and we were in and out of single track with some great climbs and flow. Although we were for sure ready for the half way 35km point as that was the peak for the day. Moslty down from there. The down was fireroad with some crazy head wind and I was on my own with no one to work with and draft off. I hammered for about 10km before finally the Norco boys caught me with the other solo female rider. I jumped in and we worked together as a group of 4 and was giving it everything to stick in. We hit some single at the end to finish what was a long grueling day !
I was neck and neck with the other girl all day and came in only a few seconds ahead of her. 17mins lead still from day 1.
It was a little bit of a frustrating day in terms of position, bunch of people would pass me on the uphill and then I would get stuck behind them on the downhill and have to try and pass them!!

Megan

Day # 1 - BC Bike Race

What I was hoping to be a home town advantage today didn't turn out quite that way!
Or should I start with saying I won first solo female for day 1 !!!

Straight off the start was a 2km road climb and straight into single track - Equals 400 people trying to funnel into 1 line after 5-10mins from the start. Now my strength is not climbing so I couldn't quite get myself into a good position off the start. So after the funnel and some standing still and walking, we still had approx 30min climb ahead but more chances to pass. I slowly started to warm up and make some moves on people to the top of the first descent called 'severed dick'! Let's just say, if you are not from around this area - then this descent was going to be tough with a lot of scared riders walking their bikes down. But this was my strength, I know this trail well and ride it well, but to find myself stuck behind lines of people walking. I was patient for about 5 mins, then I teamed up with a few Norco Guys and we made our move - calling 'riders up' and 'track' (eg get off the trail if you are walking cause we are coming through !!)
So we managed to stay on our bikes for the entire descent but was much slower then I normally ride it. At the bottom of the first descent and an hour into it, it opened up and the riders started to spread out. Some xc trails and out through the burbs to hit our next climb of Mountain Hwy. This climb is a nice one, open and not so steep.
Time for the second descent and to the finish. I was now in my element - no one in front of me and free awesome fun technical descent to make up for some lost time. After some hoots and cheers down the north shore trail 'Pipeline' I crossed the finish line in 2hrs 12mins and first solo female and received my yellow leaders jersey to wear tomorrow :)
Although I could have been 15mins faster if I had a better start, I was still stoked with day 1 - knowing there is still 6 more days ahead.

I have never ridden any of the trails for day 2-5 so am excited to experience some new stuff of what BC has to offer. I get to stay at home tonight, but am camping it for the next 3 nights, so not sure what updates I can get done, but will keep my facebook status updated. Tomorrow is more then double the distance of today and the biggest for the week at 70km. Expecting about a 4hr 15min time. Lets see what the terrains like though.

Megan

BC Bike Race

Wow ok, it's been like 10 months since my last major race and the last time I posted on here.
Tomorrow I start my big race for 2009. BC Bike Race - a 7 day mountain bike stage race. I have had a bunch of lead up events and now its time to test the body again.

Race Overview:

Day # 1 - North Vancouver 30km
Day # 2 - Nanaimo - Vancouver Island 70km
Day # 3 - Cumberland - Vancouver Island 65km
Day # 4 - Sunshine Coast 65km
Day # 5 - Sunshine Coast 65km
Day # 6 - Squamish 67km
Day # 7 - Whistler 30km

This race hosts the most single track riding any other race in the world has. Day 1 is on my local trails here on the mountain out my back door with the finish line 100m from my house, so I am super excited to have some home town advantage of knowing what to expect. The more technical a trail is in this race, the more chance I have in placing top 3 - lol - I am not the strongest climbing, so have to make up my time on the downhill!!

Race updates can be found daily on www.bcbikerace.com

Stay Tuned
Megan Rose