Second race of the year. I decided to head over to the Island to Cumberland to race. Cumberland was my favorite day of BC Bike Race last year, so I had to return for more fun on the amazing network of trails they have there.
6.30am ferry over. Met up with some Team Whistler guys and we got picked up by Joe at the other end to drive us up to the race. We got a decent warm up in and was ready to go for 12pm.
The line up of riders was great and a good show of girls. There were a couple of top riders there - eg Wendy Sims - international level rider. So I was now aiming for 3rd place and I knew it would be a battle to beat Karen - that I was up against at BC Bike Race last year. 30km mountain bike race, 10km laps - 3 laps to complete.
Nice climb off the start into single track, back out onto a significant fire road climb. The sun was beating down and it truly felt like summer already. Karen was in front on the climb. Into some flowy single track, to another short climb before some some wicked xc trail riding. Caught Karen on the downhill. It was a little sketchy with only 1 brake (my front brake pads were toast).
Into Second lap, I got the call that the girls were ahead by 3mins. I was now aiming to hold my 3rd position. 2nd lap felt better - more warmed up and in the flow and had a clean run with no one in front of me. Back aching!!
I go into 3rd lap - I get the call that the next girl is only ahead by 1min. I hit the last lap as hard as could. My brakes fluid had pumped up a bit so I now have 2 brakes working and more control!
About 2km from the finish I spot her ahead, lucky for me we are still in technical single track so I am gaining on her. I hit it hard pass and pull through to the finish in 2nd !!!
What a tough race, I was worked. Average heart rate of 173 and max of 181. We hung around for a bit after the race then head back to the ferry. To miss it by 2mins. We now had a 2hr wait until the next one, arriving home at 9.30pm - what a long day - but great one! .... And come home to home cooked meal of Salad, Chicken and Yam fries that Richard had all ready when I walked in the door - Oh Yeh - Im one lucky girl !!
Hopefully some photos are to come but they are not up on their website yet.
Top 10 Results:
| Expert Women | |||
| 1 | Wendy Simms | 2:23:21.00 | |
| 2 | Magan Rose | 2:26:03.00 | |
| 3 | Joele Guynup | 2:26:31.00 | |
| 4 | Karen Trueman | 2:34:05.00 | |
| 5 | Sarah Seads | 2:36:31.00 | |
| 6 | Glenowyn Carlson | 2:37:09.00 | |
| 7 | Karen Collins | 2:46:15.00 | |
| 8 | Nikki Licht | 2:51:06.00 | |
| 9 | Julie Melanson | 3:00:00.00 | |
| Melissa Dekker |
Megan
